Impact of race and ethnicity on treatment and survival of women with vulvar cancer in the United States

Epidemiologic characteristics and a prognostic nomogram for patients with vulvar cancer: results from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program in the United States, 1975 to 2016

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate clinical characteristics and build a prognostic nomogram for patients with vulvar cancer.

METHODS

The study population was drawn from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patients were randomly assigned to training and validation sets. Cox proportional hazards model and competing risk model were used to identify the prognostic parameters of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) to construct a nomogram. The nomogram was assessed by concordance index (C-index), area under the curve (AUC), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

A total of 20,716 patients were included in epidemiological analysis, of whom 7,025 patients were selected in survival analysis, including 4,215 and 2,810 in training and validation sets, respectively. The multivariate Cox model showed that the predictors for OS were age, marital status, histopathology, differentiation and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages, whether to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. However, the predictors for CSS were age, race, differentiation and TNM stages, whether to undergo surgery and radiation. The C-index for OS and CSS in the training set were 0.76 and 0.80. The AUC in the training set for 1-, 3- and 5-year OS and CSS were 0.84, 0.81, 0.80 and 0.88, 0.85, 0.83, respectively, which was similar in the validation set. The calibration curves showed good agreement between prediction and actual observations. DCA revealed that the nomogram had a better discrimination than TNM stages.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram showed accurate prognostic prediction in OS and CSS for vulvar cancer, which could provide guidance to clinical practice.

Executive Summary of the Lower Anogenital Tract Cancer Evidence Review Conference

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sponsored a project conducted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to develop educational materials for clinicians on the prevention and early diagnosis of gynecologic cancers. For this final module, focusing on the cancers of the lower anogenital tract (vulva, vagina, and anus), a panel of experts in evidence assessment from the Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology, ASCCP, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology reviewed relevant literature and current guidelines. Panel members conducted structured literature reviews, which were then reviewed by other panel members. Representatives from stakeholder professional and patient advocacy organizations met virtually in September 2022 to review and provide comment. This article is the executive summary of the review. It covers prevention, early diagnosis, and special considerations of lower anogenital tract cancer. Knowledge gaps are summarized to provide guidance for future research.

Ovarian, Uterine, and Vulvovaginal Cancers: Screening, Treatment Overview, and Prognosis

Ovarian, uterine, and vulvovaginal cancers affect approximately 96,000 women per year in the United States, resulting in approximately 29,000 deaths annually. Routine screening protocols do not detect these malignancies; thus, the recognition of risk factors and evaluation of worrisome symptoms are essential for early detection and improved prognoses. Treatment is managed by gynecologic oncologists, and often involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and possible radiation treatments. Survivor care is managed by the primary-care clinician: expert attention to the mental, physical, and sexual health of each patient will ensure the best outcomes and quality of life.

Development and validation of nomograms predicting cancer-specific survival of vulvar cancer patients: based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program

OBJECTIVE

To explore potential prognostic factors and develop nomograms to predict the cancer-specific survival of patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and patients with vulvar melanoma.

METHODS

Cases of vulvar SCC and melanoma were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, and randomly segregated into training and test sets. Based on the training set, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regressions evaluate the association between key demographic/clinical characteristics and vulvar cancer survival. Potential prognostic factors were included to construct nomograms for the prediction of 3-year and 5-year survival probabilities.

RESULTS

Age, tumor size, stage, surgery, and chemotherapy were potential factors associated with vulvar cancer survival. The C-indices for the training and test sets were 0.82 and 0.81 for SCC, and 0.73 and 0.70 for melanoma. Calibration curves revealed correlated agreements between nomogram-based probability and actual survival status.

CONCLUSION

Nomograms were developed to predict cancer-specific survival of patients with vulvar cancer, accordingly identifying the subgroup at high risk of cancer-specific mortality.

Utilization and outcomes of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with early stage vulvar cancer

OBJECTIVE

A retrospective cohort study comparing survival and perioperative outcomes of patients with early vulvar cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy versus standard lymphadenectomy METHODS: Patients diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2015 with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma of less than 4 cm in size, with invasion of at least 1 mm, who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy, lymphadenectomy, or both were identified from the National Cancer Database. Overall survival was evaluated following generation of Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with the log-rank test for patients who had at least 1 month of follow-up. A Cox model was constructed to control for confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 1583 patients were identified; 304 patients (19.2%) underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy alone. Sentinel lymph node biopsy utilization increased 13.9% between 2012 and 2015. Patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy alone were less likely to have comorbidities compared with those undergoing lymphadenectomy only or sentinel node biopsy with lymphadenectomy (25.3% vs 32.9% vs 31.9%, p=0.042), had smaller tumors (median 1.6 vs 2.0 vs 2.0 cm, p<0.001), and were less likely to have positive lymph nodes (11% vs 19.6% vs 28.1%, p<0.001). There was no difference in 3 year overall survival between the three groups (86.3% vs 82.1% vs 77.9%, p=0.26). After controlling for age, race, insurance, comorbidities, lymph node metastases, and tumor size, sentinel lymph node biopsy alone was not associated with worse overall survival compared with lymphadenectomy (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.32). The sentinel node only group had shorter inpatient stays compared with lymphadenectomy only (median 1 vs 2 days, p<0.001) and a lower rate of unplanned readmission (1.7% vs 5.0%, p=0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

The utilization of sentinel lymph node biopsy is increasing in the management of vulvar cancer and is associated with superior perioperative outcomes without impacting overall survival.

Investigation of clinicopathological features of vulvar cancer in 1068 patients: A Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (JGOG) nationwide survey study

OBJECTIVE

Vulvar cancer is a rare malignancy in the aging population, and optimizing treatment strategies requires large-scale investigation of the clinicopathological features of this disease. In Japan, no such surveys have been conducted in the past 30 years. This large-scale retrospective multi-center study aimed to examine the clinicopathological features of vulvar cancer in Japan.

METHODS

Upon obtaining ethical approval by the participating institutions' review boards, the medical records of patients with vulvar cancer, who were treated between 2001 and 2010 were reviewed. The impact of clinicopathological factors on overall survival (OS) was investigated using a multivariate Cox regression model.

RESULTS

After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 1068 patients treated in 108 centers were included. The median age was 72 years. The disease was in stage I in 402 patients (37.6%), stage II in 249 patients (23.3%), stage III in 252 patients (23.6%), and stage IV in 165 patients (15.4%). Squamous cell carcinoma, Paget's disease, adenocarcinoma, and other diseases were diagnosed in 773 (72.4%), 154 (14.4%), 59 (5.5%), and 82 (7.7%) patients, respectively. Positive inguino-femoral lymph nodes were found in 265 (24.8%) patients. The 5-year OS rate for stage I, II, III, and IV vulvar cancer were 85.6%, 75.1%, 48.8%, and 40.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that advanced age, disease stage, histological diagnosis, tumor diameter, and lymph node metastases significantly affect the OS of patients with vulvar cancer in Japan.

Survival disparities in vulvar cancer patients in Commission on Cancer®-accredited facilities

OBJECTIVES

To investigate survival disparities and prognostic factors in vulvar cancer by age at diagnosis.

METHODS

Women who underwent surgery and were diagnosed with stage I-IV vulvar cancer from 2004 to 2014 in the National Cancer Database were eligible. Proportions were compared using Chi-Square test. Survival was evaluated using Cox analysis.

RESULTS

There were 18,207 eligible women. Median age at diagnosis was 64 years, and 31% diagnosed ≥75 years old were categorized as elderly. Most vulvar cancers were diagnosed at stage I and with squamous histology. Diagnosis with higher stage or non-squamous histology was more common in elderly vs. non-elderly patients (P < 0.001). Survival was 3.5 times worse in the elderly than the non-elderly (P < 0.0001). Risk of death for each 5-year increment in age increased by 22% for non-elderly and 43% for elderly patients (P < 0.0001). The prognostic value of comorbidity score, stage, regional node assessment and histology was smaller in elderly vs. non-elderly women (each P < 0.05). Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) use in the elderly vs. non-elderly was rare for stage I-II disease (3% vs. 2%) and more common for stage III-IV disease (6% vs. 43%), respectively (P < 0.0001). The survival disadvantage for elderly patients persisted following no adjuvant therapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone, or CTRT (P < 0.0001). In stage III-IV disease, survival was superior following CTRT vs. radiotherapy when diagnosed <75 years (HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.69-0.93) but not in the elderly (HR = 0.99, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Age-associated risk of death increased at different rates in vulvar cancer and was larger in elderly vs. non-elderly patients. The impact of other prognostic factors was smaller in elderly vs. non-elderly women. The survival benefit of CTRT over radiotherapy in stage III-IV did not extend to the elderly.

Racial and ethnic disparities over time in the treatment and mortality of women with gynecological malignancies

OBJECTIVE

To examine temporal trends in treatment and survival among black, Asian, Hispanic, and white women diagnosed with endometrial, ovarian, cervical, and vulvar cancer.

METHODS

Using the National Cancer Database (2004-2014), we identified women diagnosed with endometrial, ovarian, cervical, and vulvar cancer. For each disease site, we analyzed race/ethnicity-specific trends in receipt of evidence-based practices. Professional societies' recommendations were used to define these practices. Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (2000-2009) we analyzed trends in 5-year survival.

RESULTS

Throughout the study period black (64.8%) and Hispanic (68.3%) women were less likely to undergo lymphadenectomy for stage I ovarian cancer compared to Asian (79.5%) and white patients (74.6%). Black women were the least likely group to undergo lymphadenectomy in all periods. Among patients with stage II-IV ovarian cancer, 76.6% of white and Asian women received both surgery and chemotherapy, compared to 70.8% of black and 73.9% Hispanic women. Hispanic women with deeply invasive or high-grade stage I endometrial cancer underwent lymphadenectomy less frequently (74.5%) than all other groups (80.7%). Black women were less likely to have chemo-radiotherapy for stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer (75.6% versus 80.4% of all others). Black women were also less likely to have a surgical lymph node evaluation for vulvar cancer (58.8% versus 63.5% of all others). Among women diagnosed with ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer, black women had lower five-year survival than other groups.

CONCLUSION

Significant racial disparities persist in the delivery of evidence-based care. Black women with ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer continue to experience higher cancer-specific mortality than other groups.

Utilization and Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Vulvar Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To examine the use and predictors of sentinel node biopsy in women with vulvar cancer.

METHODS

The Perspective database, an all-payer database that collects data from more than 500 hospitals, was used to perform a retrospective cohort study of women with vulvar cancer who underwent vulvectomy and lymph node assessment from 2006 to 2015. Multivariable models were used to determine factors associated with sentinel node biopsy. Length of stay and cost were compared between women who underwent sentinel node biopsy and lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Among 2,273 women, sentinel node biopsy was utilized in 618 (27.2%) and 1,655 (72.8%) underwent inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. Performance of sentinel node biopsy increased from 17.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.0-22.0%) in 2006 to 39.1% (95% CI 27.1-51.0%) in 2015. In a multivariable model, women treated more recently were more likely to have undergone sentinel node biopsy, whereas women with more comorbidities and those treated at rural hospitals were less likely to have undergone the procedure. The median length of stay was shorter for those undergoing sentinel node biopsy (median 2 days, interquartile range 1-3) compared with women who underwent inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (median 3 days, interquartile range 2-4). The cost of sentinel node biopsy was $7,599 (interquartile range $5,739-9,922) compared with $8,095 (interquartile range $5,917-11,281) for lymphadenectomy.

CONCLUSION

The use of sentinel node biopsy for vulvar cancer has more than doubled since 2006. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is associated with a shorter hospital stay and decreased cost compared with inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy.

Vulvar cancer in Tunisia: Epidemiological and clinicopathological features multicentric study

OBJECTIVE

To describe for the first time the epidemiologic and clinico-pathologic characteristics of vulvar cancer in Tunisia.

DESIGN

Two parts are distinguished in this study: Part1: Multicentric retrospective study about the characteristics of all cancer cases diagnosed during a 17-years period (January 1998-December 2014) in three departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics: one in south Tunisia and two in the capital. Part 2: To determine the Incidence trend of invasive vulvar cancer in North Tunisia 1994-2009, on the basis of North Cancer Registry of Tunisia.

RESULTS

A total of 76 cases of vulvar cancer were recorded. The median age at diagnosis was 65.4years and 86.9% of patients were more than 55years old. The symptomatology was dominated by vulvar pruritus in 48.7%. The average size of the tumor was 3.96cm. Stage III was the most frequent (53.7%) followed by stage II (28.3%). Only 10.4% of tumors were at stage I. The most common histologic type of vulvar malignancy was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (94.7%). Standardized incidence varied from 1.2/100 000 (1994) to 0.5/100 000 (2009). There was significant decrease of Standardized incidence (APC of -8.8% per year, 95% CI: -5.5%, -9.0%-p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Vulvar cancer in Tunisia is a rare disease, occurs mostly in elderly women, and is diagnosed at advanced stages. Our findings emphasize that a greater effort should be made to facilitate early diagnosis, as treatment in earlier stages is less extensive and potentially curative.

Disparities in Vulvar Cancer Reported by the National Cancer Database: Influence of Sociodemographic Factors

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether there is an association of patient sociodemographic factors with stage at diagnosis, treatment, and overall survival in patients with vulvar cancer in the National Cancer Database.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with primary squamous vulvar carcinoma identified from the National Cancer Database (1998-2004). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine risk factors associated with advanced-stage (stage III or IV) disease at diagnosis. Multivariable Cox regression models were performed to explore risk factors associated with 5-year all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Of 11,153 patients, 42.3% (n=4,713) were diagnosed with stage I disease, 24.6% (n=2,745) stage II, 22.9% (n=2,556) stage III, and 10.2% (n=1,139) stage IV. Advanced stage was significantly associated with older age, nonprivate insurance, and treatment at a lower case volume center (P<.01). Of note, roughly 30% of patients with advanced-stage disease did not receive radiation therapy. Within the advanced stages, age 60 years or older and insurance type were associated with decreased survival (P<.01). In stage III disease, only black race and treatment at a community hospital were associated with a lower risk of death (P<.01).

CONCLUSION

Patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are significantly associated with vulvar cancer stage presentation, treatment, and survival. Unfortunately, within this disease, surgical approaches and adjuvant radiation do not appear consistent.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

A Thirty-year Review of Vulvar Cancer in Jamaica, 1978 to 2007

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the trends in vulvar cancer between 1978 and 2007 in Kingston and St Andrew, Jamaica, with respect to age-standardized rates and histologic types.

METHODS

All cases of vulvar cancer recorded in the Jamaica Cancer Registry from 1978 to 2007 were extracted and analysed for age distribution and histologic type.

RESULTS

There were 78 cases (one person of unknown age) of vulvar cancer recorded over the 30-year period. Sixty per cent of the affected patients were between 50 and 80 years old. The most common histologic type of vulvar malignancy was squamous cell carcinoma (82%). There was a decline in age-standardized incidence rates of both vulvar cancers overall and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma over the 30-year period.

CONCLUSION

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common vulvar malignancy in the Jamaican population, and affects primarily older women. Despite high prevalence rates of high-risk human papillomavirus infection, no increase in the age-standardized incidence of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma was identified.

Racial disparities and changes in clinical characteristics and survival for vulvar cancer over time

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine changes over time in survival for African-American (AA) and white women diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

STUDY DESIGN

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program for 1973-2009 was used for this analysis. We evaluated racial differences in survival between AA and white women. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards survival methods were used to assess differences in survival by race by decade of diagnosis.

RESULTS

The study sample included 5867 women, including 5379 whites (91.6%) and 488 AA (8.3%). AA women were younger (57 vs 67 years; P < .001) and had a higher rate of distant metastasis (6.1% vs 3.7%; P < .001). AA women had surgery less frequently (84.2% vs 87.6%; P = .03) and more frequently radiotherapy (24.2% vs 20.6%; P < .001). AA women had a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.95) of all-cause mortality and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53-0.82) of vulvar cancer mortality compared with whites. Adjusting for SEER Registry, marital status, stage, age, surgery, radiotherapy, grade, lymph node status, and decade, AA women had an HR of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.53-0.84) of vulvar cancer-related mortality compared with whites. After adjusting for the same variables, there was a significant difference in survival between AA and whites in the periods of 1990-1999 (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41-0.95) and 2000-2009 (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30-0.72) but not earlier.

CONCLUSION

AA presented at a significantly younger age compared with white women and had better survival compared with whites.