The issue of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: an evaluation of the criteria of diagnosis and methods of therapy.

Current literature on definition, metastatic potential, and treatment of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is reviewed. There is marked disparity among the various reports about the features of this lesion that are most crucial in predicting the propensity to recur or metastasize. Nonuniformity of the techniques for measuring stromal invasion is noted among many of them as well. The issue of conservative versus more aggressive surgical treatment of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is discussed within the context of the reviewed data. One should exercise prudence in determining which affected patients are appropriate candidates for conservative surgical therapy.