Groin recurrence following Stage 1A squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

BACKGROUND

It has been well established that stage 1 squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva with a depth of stromal invasion less than 1 mm have a <1% risk of lymph node involvement. The treatment for these stage 1A tumours has therefore been to perform radical wide local excision without removal of groin nodes.

CASE: We present two cases of stage 1A microinvasive cancer of the vulva that presented with groin recurrence 3 months and 3 years following their primary surgery respectively.

CONCLUSION

The current management of stage 1A tumours may need to be re-evaluated to include some form of lymph node assessment in view of these rare but nonetheless aggressive tumours.