Treatment of extramammary Paget disease of the vulva with imiquimod: a retrospective, multicenter study by the German Colposcopy Network.

BACKGROUND

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a very rare genital neoplasia associated with a high frequency of local recurrences. Surgical excision is the standard treatment, but results in mutilating procedures in patients with advanced or recurrent disease. Case reports have shown clinical responses to imiquimod in patients with EMPD, but this therapy has not been evaluated systematically.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate imiquimod as local treatment of first-time and recurrent EMPD.

METHODS

All cases of biopsy-proven EMPD of the vulva treated within the German Colposcopy Network or other institutions specializing in vulvar diseases in Germany were included in this retrospective analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 21 women with EMPD treated with imiquimod were identified: 11 (52.4%) achieved complete response, 6 (28.6%) achieved partial response, and there were no cases of progressive disease. The dose and duration of imiquimod differed between patients. The mean duration of treatment exceeded 16 weeks in women achieving complete response.

LIMITATIONS: EMPD is rare and this retrospective study is limited by the small number of patients identified.

CONCLUSION

When associated cancers and invasive growth are excluded, imiquimod appears to be a useful treatment option for recurrent EMPD and may avoid extensive mutilating surgical treatment.