Melanomas of the vulva and vagina.

INTRODUCTION Malignant melanoma is a rare type of cancer in the vagina and vulva associated with a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and early dissemination. Only a limited amount of literature exists on the condition. This study elucidates the effect of current treatment. METHODS All patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma in the vagina or vulva at Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark, in the period from 1996 to 2013 were included. Data were collected from the electronic patient records and from the Danish Pathology Register. RESULTS A total of 17 patients were included. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 77 years and the median overall survival time was 21.9 months. The five-year survival in this study was 17.7%. The majority of the melanomas were nodular and all of the superficially spreading melanomas were found in the vulva only. Malignant melanoma in the vagina has a poorer prognosis than in the vulva as it is diagnosed later. CONCLUSIONS Early diagnosis and staging of this cancer is important. Positron emission tomography-computed tom-ography should be the standard method for staging the disease. Older women with vaginal discharge should always have a gynaecological examination. The primary treatment is resection of the tumour, but future treatment might be a combination of resection and immunotherapy. FUNDING none. TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.  .