Squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina: a review of 70 cases.

Seventy cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina registered between 1985 and 1989 were analyzed. The overall 2-year disease-free survival was 33%. Stagewise 2-year survivals were as follows: stage I, 100% (8/8); stage II, 70% (7/10); stage III, 19% (8/42); and stage IV, 0% (0/10). Incidentally, 60% of the cases presented below 50 years of age, and the majority of these were in advanced stage (p < 0.02). Due to the relatively greater number of cases of advanced disease in the elderly age group treated with external radiotherapy alone, a significant survival difference between the two age groups was not apparent (P > 0.10). External radiotherapy alone yielded poor results. External radiotherapy in combination with brachytherapy in the form of either vaginal cylinders or uterine tandems with vaginal cylinders resulted in 42 and 50% 2-year disease-free survivals, respectively. Advanced stage, more than two-thirds to full vaginal length involvement, and multiple vaginal wall involvement were found to be poor prognostic factors. The majority of cases had tumor grades 2 and 3. No association between tumor grade and survival was observed. To improve survival, downstaging of the disease through routine gynecological checkup, even in premenopausal women, and delivery of high doses through a judicious combination of external radiotherapy and brachytherapy are needed.