Andreas Suhartoyo Winarno

Vulvar cancer during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding: a report of five cases from a single center study at the University Hospital of Düsseldorf

Abstract Background The incidence of vulvar cancer (VC) in pregnancy is unknown due to its rarity; between 1955 and 2014 only 36 case reports were reported worldwide. Underreporting may also be a contributing factor to the unknown incidence of VC in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of vulvar cancer cases diagnosed during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. Case presentation Patient 1 was diagnosed at 18 weeks’ gestation (WG) with Grade 2 VC (pT1a, pN0, 0/4 sentinel lymph nodes biopsy (SLNB) involved) and was treated by having the tumor resected (R0). She is currently recurrence-free at 4 years post-diagnosis. Patient 2 was diagnosed at 7 WG with Grade 2 VC (pT1b, pN1a, 1/17 SLNB, R0) and was treated during the first trimester and during the second trimester with SLNB. She is currently recurrence-free at 5 years post-diagnosis. Patient 3 was diagnosed at 30 WG with Grade 2 VC (pT1b, pN0, 0/5 SLNB, R0). She subsequently experienced a number of local recurrences postpartum that were managed by resection and is currently recurrence-free at 3 years post-diagnosis. Patient 4 was diagnosed a VL later, at 14 months during breastfeeding, that was diagnosed as Grade 3 VC (pT1b, pN1a, 1/14 SLNB, R0). The patient is currently recurrence-free at 9 years post-diagnosis. Patient 5 was not diagnosed during pregnancy, but was diagnosed with G3 VC (pT2, pN2c, 2/17 SLNB, R0) 8 months postpartum. The patient due to the extent of tumor involvement and lymph node metastasis, underwent chemoradiation therapy post-surgery. Despite adjuvant therapy, the patient progressed and developed bone metastases. Analysis of the tumour tissue revealed increased expression of PD-L1 (programmed cell death protein 1) indicating that the patient may have benefited from treatment with nivolumab to block the PD-L1 interaction; unfortunately the patient passed away at 24 months post-diagnosis before immunotherapy treatment could commence. Conclusion Surgical resection and simultaneous SLNB in VC cases are considered safe during pregnancy, with comparable outcomes to non-pregnant women. Prompt diagnostic workup and treatment should never be delayed during pregnancy as delayed diagnosis could lead to tumour progression with fatal consequences.

The potential risk of contralateral non-sentinel groin node metastasis in women with early primary vulvar cancer following unilateral sentinel node metastasis: a single center evaluation in University Hospital of Düsseldorf

Abstract Background Since the introduction of sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) in unifocal vulvar cancer (diameter of < 4 cm) and unsuspicious groin lymph nodes, the morbidity rate of patients has significantly decreased globally. In contrast to SLNB, bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL) has been associated with increased risk of common morbidities. Current guidelines (NCCN, ESGO, RCOG, and German) recommend that in cases of unilaterally positive sentinel lymph node (SLN), bilateral IFL should be performed. However, two recent publications by Woelber et al. and Nica et al. contradict the current guideline, since a significant rate of positive non sentinel lymph nodes in IFL contralaterally was not observed [Woelber et al. 0% ( p  = 0/28) and Nica et al. 5.3% ( p  = 1/19)]. Methods A retrospective single-center analysis conducted in the University Hospital of Dusseldorf, evaluating vulvar cancer patients treated with SLNB from 2002 to 2018. Results 22.2% of women (n = 4/18) were found to have contralateral IFL groin metastasis after an initial diagnosis of unilateral SLN metastasis. The depth of tumor infiltrating cells correlated significantly and positively with the rate of incidence of groin metastasis ( p  = 0.0038). Conclusion Current guideline for bilateral IFL should remain as the standard management. Therefore, this depth may be taken into account as an indication for bilateral IFL. The management of VC and SLNB should be performed in a high volume center with an experienced team in marking SLN and performing the adequate surgical procedure. Well conducted counseling of the patients outlining advantages but also potential oncological risks of this technique especially concerning rate of groin recurrence is critical.