Preoperative predictors of inguinal lymph node metastases in vulvar cancer - A nationwide study

Background. A combination of tumour size, differentiation grade and location may identify a group of vulvar squamous cell cancer (VSCC) patients with a very low risk of inguinal lymph node metastasis. We aim to examine these findings in a large national cohort of VSCC patients. Materials and methods. Population based prospective data on VSCC patients treated with vulvectomy and primary groin surgery was obtained from the Danish Gynaecological Cancer Database. Univariate chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Statistical tests were 2-sided. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. In all, 388 VSCC patients were identified. Of these 264 (63.3%) were node negative and 121 (36.7%) node positive. Increasing tumour size (diameter <= 2 cm vs.> 2 to 4 cm), grade (1 vs. 2-3) and location of tumour to clitoris were all associated with a significantly increased risk of inguinal lymph node metastasis OR 2.81(95%CI 1.52-520), OR 3.19 (95% CI 1.77-5.74) and OR 2.74 (95% CI 1.56-520), respectively. Previous vulvar disease was not associated with lymph node metastasis. No lymph node metastasis was demonstrated in patients with grade 1 tumours, tumour size less than 2 cm and located outside the clitoris area (n = 51). Conclusions. VSCC patients with grade 1 tumours, <= 2 cm and without clitoral involvement have a very low risk of inguinal lymph node metastasis. These patients may be spared inguinal lymph node staging to decrease operating time and perk and postoperative morbidity in the future. However, studies validating our findings are needed. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Automated summary

This study aims to examine the impact of tumor size, differentiation grade, and location on the risk of inguinal lymph node metastasis in vulvar squamous cell cancer (VSCC) patients. The results suggest that VSCC patients with grade 1 tumors, sizes less than 2cm, and no clitoral involvement have a very low risk of lymph node metastasis.