Vulvar Melanoma in the Elderly Treated with Surgery and Rradiotherapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Although rare, vulvar melanoma is the second most common histological type of vulvar cancer, representing around 10% of all malignant tumors involving the vulva presenting typically in post-menopausal women. The data on vulvar melanoma consists almost entirely of case studies and small retrospective series. A standardized approach to the diagnosis and management of vulvar melanoma is not available. In this paper, a case of vulvar melanoma in remission is described and a review of the current literature is presented. A 73-year-old, G5P5 (5-0-0-5), complained of a 3-year history of intense vaginal pruritus. A biopsy was done at the site of the hyperpigmented patch revealing vulvar melanoma. CT scan was done before surgery and revealed negative lymph node invasion nor metastasis. The patient underwent a radical vulvectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy which offered remission of disease for 5 years.