European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (EJGO) is published by IMR Press from Volume 40 Issue 1 (2019). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Does long-term follow-up have a role for node negative squamous carcinoma of the vulva? The Gateshead experience
A retrospective review was performed of 138 cases of squamous vulva! cancer referred to Gateshead between 1986 and 1997, with a median follow-up of 48 months. Eighteen recurrences were detected, 11 within one year of surgery. All nine patients with groin/distant recurrence (including 4 presenting initially with local recurrence only) died of vulval cancer. Vulval pain [9], bleeding [3] or other symptoms heralded all recurrences. Routine review was ineffective in detecting recurrence. Eight cases were detected by general practitioners, three by specialists, and one was self-diagnosed. Six of these had had clinical review less than two months previously. Follow-up does not appear to offer early detection or survival advantages. Patient education, with symptom-triggered rapid clinic access, may be more effective. Prospective research is indicated to assess both the effectiveness and psychological implications of routine follow-up and alternative strategies.