American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 200, Issue 5 , Pages e52-e55, May 2009

A comparison of younger vs older women with vulvar cancer in the United States

  • Sanjeev Kumar, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
    • Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Sanjeev Kumar, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, 3990 John R, 7 Brush North, Hutzel Women's Hospital, Detroit, MI 48201
    • ,
  • Jay P. Shah, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
    • Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Christopher S. Bryant, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
    • Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Anthony N. Imudia, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
    • Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Robert T. Morris, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
    • Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • John M. Malone Jr, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
    • C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
    • Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI

Received 29 July 2008; received in revised form 19 September 2008; accepted 26 September 2008. published online 29 December 2008.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the prognostic variables and survival of younger (< 50 years) to that of older (≥ 50 years) women with vulvar cancer.

Study Design

Subjects with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva were identified from the limited use Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program 1988-2005. Comparisons between younger and older women were accomplished with χ2 and t-tests. Survival analysis was accomplished with Kaplan-Meier for univariate analysis and Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 6965 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 1345 patients (19.3%) were younger and 5620 patients (80.7%) were older. The 5-year survival was 87.5% for younger women and 52.5% for older women (P < .001). After data were controlled for race, stage, grade, and surgical treatment, older patients had a hazard ratio of 3.9 (95% CI, 3.2-4.7) for death.

Conclusion

A striking survival difference exists between younger and older women with squamous cell vulvar cancer, which supports the view that etiopathogenesis of this disease may vary between age groups.

Key words: age of diagnosis, survival, vulvar cancer

 

 Authorship and contribution to the manuscript is limited to the 6 authors indicated. There was no outside funding or technical assistance with the production of this article.

PII: S0002-9378(08)01094-6

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.09.869

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 200, Issue 5 , Pages e52-e55, May 2009

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