Progress of radiotherapy for vulvar cancer

Abstract

Radiation therapy has a major role in curative treatment of vulvar cancer patients including preoperative radiotherapy, radical radiotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy. Radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy may be able to achieve better clinical outcomes, but the rate of acute and chronic toxicities may be higher. So we should develop individual radiotherapy and chemotherapy program, strictly limit the dose and avoid treatment interruption. It is recommended to apply intensity-modulated radiotherapy, which is supe-rior to conventional radiotherapy in dose and clinical efficacy. Interstitial brachytherapy can be used selectively, but it requires a high level of surgical experience, and the doses to target and organs at risk need to be further discussed. Key words: Vulvar neoplasms; Radiotherapy; Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; Intensity modulated radiation therapy