Stage I squamous cell cancer of the vulva

A review of 106 patients with Stage I squamous cell cancer of the vulva treated at the Mayo Clinic from 1950 through 1975 is presented. Microinvasive lesions (5 mm penetration or less) were present in 96 patients (91%); invasive lesions (more than 5 mm penetration) were diagnosed in 10 (9%). Inguinal node involvement was present in nine patients (8.4%); one of these also had pelvic node involvement. Recurrence developed in 13 patients (12%). Four patients experienced inguinal node metastasis after initial surgical therapy. The incidence of positive nodes among patients with lesions invading the stroma for 3 mm or less was 3%. Thus, individualization for inguinal lymphadenectomy may be possible according to the age and condition of the patient when the depth of invasion is 3 mm or less.