Definitive chemoradiation or radiation therapy alone for the management of vulvar cancer

Abstract

Vulvar cancer is rare, and unresectable disease provides a therapeutic conundrum. Although definitive surgery remains the mainstay for curative treatment of vulvar cancer, a minority of patients present with advanced disease for which surgical resection would be extraordinarily morbid. Pre-operative and definitive radiation with radiosensitizing systemic therapy allows such patients an opportunity for cure. In this review, we explore the origins of pre-operative radiation, current treatment standards for pre-operative and definitive chemoradiation, and future directions.