Vulvar melanoma: a report of 20 cases and review of the literature

Vulvar melanoma is the second most common vulvar malignancy and represents a significant women's health issue. To report experience with 21 cases of vulvar melanoma in 20 patients and to review the literature about the condition. Parameters retrospectively reviewed included age at diagnosis, fa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2004-04, Vol.50 (4), p.554-562
Main Authors: Wechter, Mary Ellen, Gruber, Stephen B, Haefner, Hope K, Lowe, Lori, Schwartz, Jennifer L, Reynolds, Kevin R, Johnston, Carolyn M, Johnson, Timothy M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Dermatology
Female
Humans
Lymphatic Metastasis
Medical sciences
Melanoma - diagnosis
Melanoma - genetics
Melanoma - pathology
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis
Skin Neoplasms - genetics
Skin Neoplasms - pathology
Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
Vulvar Neoplasms - diagnosis
Vulvar Neoplasms - pathology
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Summary:Vulvar melanoma is the second most common vulvar malignancy and represents a significant women's health issue. To report experience with 21 cases of vulvar melanoma in 20 patients and to review the literature about the condition. Parameters retrospectively reviewed included age at diagnosis, family history of melanoma, location on the vulva, atypical nevi, Breslow depth, ulceration status, histologic pattern, presenting signs and symptoms, and the results of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Molecular characterization of the melanocortin type 1 receptor was performed in 1 patient. A family history of cutaneous melanoma was present in 15% of cases. The mean Breslow depth was 2.8 mm (range, 0.0-11.0 mm). Ten patients successfully underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy, results of which were positive in 2 (20%). Reported for the first time is that one patient had a germline mutation in the melanocortin type 1 receptor. Vulvar and cutaneous melanoma behave similarly despite their unique pathogeneses. Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be performed successfully for vulvar melanoma.
ISSN:0190-9622
1097-6787
DOI:10.1016/j.jaad.2003.07.026