Operative management of early invasive epidermoid carcinoma of the vulva.

The clinical records and surgical specimens of 60 patients with squamous cancers of the vulva less than 2 cm in size (TI) were studied. Fifty-eight patients had stromal invasion 5 mm. or less in depth. Three of the 60 patients (5 per cent) had pelvic lymph node metastases; two of these three showed invasion of vascular channels; the third patient's tumor showed cellular anaplasia. In an effort to reduce patient morbidity in radical surgery for vulvar carcinoma, while achieving comparable survival data, an operative approach less radical than radical vulvectomy, inguinal dissections, and/or pelvic lymphadenectomy is proposed for selected patients.