Vulvar sarcomas: Short guideline for histopathological recognition and clinical management. Part 2

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2015 Jun;28(2):178-86. doi: 10.1177/0394632015575977. Epub 2015 Mar 26.

Abstract

Malignant tumors of the female reproductive system are a serious health and social problem, as they are the second most common cause of death among women, after breast cancer. Vulvar tumors represent only 4% of all gynecological neoplasms, and they are fourth in frequency after tumors of the cervix, uterus, and ovary. Ninety-eight percent of all vulvar tumors are benign and only 2% are malignant. Sarcomas of the vulva comprise approximately 1-3% of all vulvar cancers. They are characterized by rapid growth, high metastatic potential, frequent recurrences, aggressive behavior, and high mortality rate. In Part 1 of this paper, we presented the most common forms of sarcoma of the vulva: leiomyosarcoma, epithelioid sarcoma, malignant rhabdoid tumor, and rhabdomyosarcoma. The second part of this review will focus mainly on the rarest variants of vulvar sarcoma: low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, monophasic synovial sarcoma, carcinosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, myeloid sarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, liposarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, and malignant mesothelioma.

Keywords: dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans; liposarcoma; sarcomas; synovial sarcoma; vulva.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Sarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma / pathology*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology*