[Clinical features of recurrence of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: analysis of 18 cases].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics of recurrence of vulvar squamous cell cancer and to explore the treatment thereof. METHODS The clinical data of 18 patients vulvar squamous cell cancer, confirmed at the age 28-76, who developed recurrence were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS The overall recurrence rate was 21.3%. The time range between the primary operation and the discovery of primary recurrence was 2 months - 16 years. Local recurrence occurred in 11 of the 18 patients (61.1%). Recurrence in groin alone occurred in 4 of the 10 patients (22.2%) and recurrence in both the vulva and groin occurred in 3 of the 18 patients (16.7%). Local recurrence occurred more than 1 year after the primary treatment and inguinal recurrence occurred mostly within 1 year after the primary treatment. The survival time of the patients with vulvar recurrence was (63.2 +/- 8.1) months, significantly longer than that of the patients with groin recurrence [(10.7 +/- 1.6) months, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION The clinical characteristics and the prognosis of recurrent vulvar squamous cell cancer depend on the site of recurrence. The best treatment option for recurrence is surgery.