EP413/#936 Vulvar cancer: clinical presentation and management options in a low resource country

Objectives

We aim to study the epidemiological features of vulvar cancer in Tunisia and report the management strategies in a low-resource country.

Methods

It is a retrospective study. We included all patients diagnosed, at our institution, during a 12-year- period (2010- 2021), with invasive vulvar cancer. We collected the data regarding the epidemiological, clinical, imaging, pathological, oncological management strategies and outcomes.

Results

We included 65 patients of whom 89% were menopausal at the time of diagnosis. The average age is 65 years [49- 94]. A history of lichen was reported in 20% of patients, and 5% had vitiligo. The comorbidity rate was 45.8%. The main symptom was vulvar pruritus in 94%. A vulvar lump was reported in 50%of cases. Inguinal lymph nodes were present in 39.21% of cases. Among the 65 patients, 2 patients were metastatic. All patients had vulvar surgery (vulvectomy 89%) and inguinal lymph node dissection (blue dye sentinel lymph node detection rate was 65%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 24 days [6- 31]. The postoperative complication rate was 39% of whom 66% are infectious complications. 17% had radiotherapy within 12 months after the surgery. The 3 year recurrence rate is 14%.

Conclusions

Vulvar cancer in Tunisia is mainly a menopausal women’s burden characterized by its late diagnosis and the perioperative complication of oncological surgery.