New Insights into the Epidemiology of Vulvar Cancer: Systematic Literature Review for an Update of Incidence and Risk Factors

Abstract

The aim of this review was an update of vulvar cancer incidence rates and trends and of all known and putative risk factors for the disease. The most recent incidence data were sought from official sources (WHO Cancer Incidence in Five Continents). To obtain an estimate of time trends in some areas, we compared data from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents with the few available studies that measured incidence using comparable methods. With respect to risk factors, a systematic PubMed search identified 1585 relevant articles published between 1980 and 2021. Abstracts and full texts were screened. Sixty-nine eligible original cohort and case-control studies were selected. Information was extracted using a PRISMA predesigned form. Nineteen risk factors, or risk factor categories, were investigated by two or more original studies. Solitary, unreplicated studies addressed the putative role of eight more factors. Recent advances have provided further evidence supporting the carcinogenic model centred on human papillomavirus infection with different defects of the immune function. Conversely, the model centred on the role of vulvar lichen sclerosus and the often associated differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia has continued to be epidemiologically understudied. More research on the association between these two conditions and vulvar cancer is a priority.

Identification of Risk Factors of Recurrence Among Patients With Vulvar Paget Disease Treated With Conservative Surgery

“…Data included patient age at first diagnosis, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiac and respiratory failure, rheumatologic diseases, and presence of cancers in another organ (leaving aside vulvar and vaginal cancer) were retrieved on the basis of presenting potential factors that could increase the risk of developing recurrences by triggering adaptive immunity and increasing the risk of infections (including human papillomavirus [HPV] infection) and inflammation. 12 Tumor characteristics were retrieved from the pathology report including tumor size, presence of disease on histological tumor margins, bilaterality of lesions, presence of urethral, perianal and perineal lesions, concurrent lichenoid dermatoses, and presence of HPV infection (using p16 immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction) with or without vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (irrespective of its severity).…”

“…Data included patient age at first diagnosis, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiac and respiratory failure, rheumatologic diseases, and presence of cancers in another organ (leaving aside vulvar and vaginal cancer) were retrieved on the basis of presenting potential factors that could increase the risk of developing recurrences by triggering adaptive immunity and increasing the risk of infections (including human papillomavirus [HPV] infection) and inflammation 12 …”

The role of PET/CT in oncogynecology (literature review)

“…Карцинома вульвы составляет около 3% всех гинекологических злокачественных новообразований, при этом плоскоклеточная карцинома является наиболее распространенным подтипом (>80%) [58]. Карцинома вульвы в основном поражает пожилых женщин (старше 70 лет), но заболеваемость у молодых женщин ВПЧ-ассоциирован ной карциномой растет.…”

The Utility of Pre-Treatment Inflammation Markers as Associative Factors to the Adverse Outcomes of Vulvar Cancer: A Study on Staging, Nodal Involvement, and Metastasis Models

“…Vulvar malignancies are infrequent and primarily affect older women [1]. It comprises about 5% of all female genital tract malignancies and has become the fourth most common gynecologic cancer [2].…”

“…It comprises about 5% of all female genital tract malignancies and has become the fourth most common gynecologic cancer [2]. Vulvar carcinoma (VC) etiopathogenesis has been associated with local inflammatory processes such as human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced infections, lichen planus/sclerosus, psoriasis, allergies, and leucoplakia [1]. Proteomic analyses have also pointed to inflammation as a driver of progression, as evidenced by the presence of 2 of 25 two inflammatory proteins (HMGA2 and PRTN3) in solid tissues and blood samples from patients with VC and premalignant vulvar lesions [3].…”