Introduction/Background
Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a rare tumor of the female genital tract, accounting for about 5% of all gynecological malignancies. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-)-associated tumors affect relatively young women and arise from high-grade intraepithelial lesions. HPV-independent tumors tend to affect older women and usually occur from inflammatory skin disorders and a subtle variant of in situ lesion called differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia.
Methodology
In our study, testing for HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction was performed in 37 patients.
Results
In young patients, highly oncogenic HPV genotypes were identified in 76% (16, 18, 31, 33), and the association with the tumor process in this group was 100%. HPV in women of peri- and postmenopausal age is represented by a diverse range of genotypes (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33), and the relationship with the malignant process was 30%.
Conclusion
The HPV status may be a biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with vulvar cancer. The HPV-positive vulvar cancer women might have better survival than HPV-negative ones.