Interstitial radiotherapy for the treatment of advanced or recurrent vulvar and distal vaginal malignancy.

From March 1, 1985 to April 30, 1988 10 patients with locally advanced primary or recurrent vulvar or distal vaginal malignancy were managed with interstitial radiotherapy with or without teletherapy. One patient died of complications of a total pelvic exenteration for radionecrosis 8 months after completion of radiotherapy. The remaining nine patients were alive at a mean follow-up of 28 months (14 to 50 months). Recurrent disease developed within a bed of severe radionecrosis in two patients at 13 and 47 months after completion of radiotherapy. The remaining seven patients have remained without evidence of recurrent disease. Of the 10 total patients severe radionecrosis developed in six at a median of 8.5 months (6 to 26 months) after radiotherapy. We conclude from our data that the use of interstitial needles, mainly combined with external radiotherapy, for the treatment of locally advanced primary or recurrent vulvar and introital malignancy is highly effective but also highly morbid.