PMID: 3748617Jan 1, 1986Paper

The pathology of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma

Pathology Annual
P M Dvoretsky, T A Bonfiglio

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma is far more common than verrucous carcinoma in the vulva. The clinical and morphologic distinctions between these neoplasms are important to understand because of their contrasting biologic behavior and treatment. Both cancers present with symptoms of pruritus and a noticeable mass. On examination, both tumors commonly occur on the labia and are exophytic. If infection occurs in association with verrucous carcinoma, the resulting induration of the surrounding tissue as well as reactive regional lymph node enlargement may fool the clinician into making an erroneous diagnosis of advanced squamous cell carcinoma. In the 33 percent of cases in which a squamous cell carcinoma is flat and ulcerated, the gross distinction from verrucous carcinoma is easy to perceive. The microscopic analysis of squamous cell carcinomas should specify the neoplastic thickness, depth of stromal invasion, and presence or absence of lymphatic invasion since these parameters are important in predicting the probability of lymph node metastases in superficially invasive cancers. Verrucous carcinomas are thick neoplasms which may invade and compress the underlying stroma with "pushing" margins. It is therefore crucial to recognize the ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

Basal cell carcinoma is a form of malignant skin cancer found on the head and neck regions and has low rates of metastasis. Discover the latest research on basal cell carcinoma here.