Epidemiology of Epidermoid Carcinoma of the Vulva

Epidemiologic review of 249 patients with invasive and intraepithelial epidermoid carcinoma of the vulva was undertaken and correlated with data from the literature. Recognizing the disparity of populations studied, common epidemiologic factors were recognized as characteristic of agent, host and environment. These included age distribution, stigmas of venereal exposure, associated systemic disease and patient as well as physician-delay in diagnosis. A high incidence of associated neoplasia of the anogenital tract, especially the cervix, suggested that common pathogenetic factors, possibly viral, were operative in carcinogenesis in the vulva, cervix and vagina.