Paget disease of the vulva an analysis of 24 cases

Paget's disease can arise in the breast (mammary Paget disease) or in other locations (extramammary Paget disease) such as anogenital skin in both males and females (Paget disease of the vulva [PDV]). Underlying adenocarcinoma can be found in some cases. This study aims to report clinical aspects, surgical procedures, outcomes, and recurrences of patients with PDV. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of PDV managed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari, and the “Giovanni Paolo II” National Cancer Institute in Bari, between 1998 and 2018. Records of 24 cases of PDV were examined. Median age of the patients at diagnosis was 69.3 (range 38–84), diagnosis of synchronous cancer was made in 2 cases and in 2 other cases of metachronous disease. Three patients had previously been diagnosed with other oncological diseases. All patients underwent surgery including wide local excision (6), simple vulvectomy (8), and extended vulvectomy (10). Lymphadenectomy was performed in 2 cases and reconstructions with advancement flaps in 7 cases. Four patients were found to have invasive disease and 1 had inguinal node involvement. Positive margins were found in 11 patients. Wound dehiscence and urethral stenosis were found in 4 and 1 case each. Eight recurrences (33.33%) were observed, regardless of positive surgical margins. PDV has a low rate of malignancy but a high rate of recurrence. It should be diagnosed early to avoid repeated surgery and to reduce symptoms and morbidity.