Current vulvar cancer treatment in Bulgaria.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: Our aim was to outline the treatment of carcinoma of the vulva at the National Oncological Centre in Sofia, Bulgaria.

METHODS

We examined the records of 250 patients over a 10-year period treated at the Gynaecologic-Oncology Clinic of our Centre.

RESULTS

There were 130 patients (52%) treated with surgery and radiation. There were 120 patients (48%) treated by surgery only. Thirty of these patients were treated by pelvic exenteration with radical vulvectomy. The five-year survival rate was 36% - 12 patients. The 1-year survival rate for all patients was 80% - 200 patients. The five-year survival rate was 50%.

DISCUSSION: We have results similar to other clinics in the world working in this field. We now emphasize external radiation for advanced disease but the treatment must be individualized.

CONCLUSION

We have outlined the treatment of carcinoma of the vulva at our Centre, over a 10-year period.