Prognostic factors for local recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: A systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundIn patients treated for early-stage squamous cell vulvar carcinoma local recurrence is reported in up to 40% after ten years. Knowledge on prognostic factors related to local recurrences should be helpful to select high risk patients and/or to develop strategies to prevent local recurrences. ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to evaluate the current knowledge on the incidence of local recurrences in vulvar carcinoma related to clinicopathologic and cell biologic variables. Data sourcesRelevant studies were identified by an extensive online electronic search in July 2017. Study eligibility criteriaStudies reporting prognostic factors specific for local recurrences of vulvar carcinoma were included. Study appraisal and synthesis methodsTwo review authors independently performed data selection, extraction and assessment of study quality. The risk difference was calculated for each prognostic factor when described in two or more studies. ResultsTwenty-two studies were included; most of all were retrospective and mainly reported pathologic prognostic factors. Our review indicates an estimated annual local recurrence rate of 4% without plateauing. The prognostic relevance for local recurrence of vulvar carcinoma of all analyzed variables remains equivocal, including pathologic tumor free margin distance <8mm, presence of lichen sclerosus, groin lymph node metastases and a variety of primary tumor characteristics (grade of differentiation, tumor size, tumor focality, depth of invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, tumor localization and presence of human papillomavirus). ConclusionsCurrent quality of data on prognostic factors for local recurrences in vulvar carcinoma patients does not allow evidence-based clinical decision making. Further research on prognostic factors, applying state of the art methodology is needed to identify high-risk patients and to develop alternative primary and secondary prevention strategies.