Characteristics and survival of primary vaginal malignancy: an analysis of the German nationwide cancer registry data

Abstract

Background

Vaginal neoplasms are rare. To study the survival of patients depending on tumour characteristics and age, the data from the national cancer registries in Germany were analysed.

Methods

In a retrospective analysis, data from 2006 to 2015 on disease stage, survival, and factors that might affect prognosis were analysed.

Results

Altogether, out of 4004 datasets, 2194 were deemed adequate to be included in the analysis. Overall survival at 5 years (5YSR) and relative survival (5RSR) were 48.6% (95%CI 45.4–52.1%) and 58.7% (95%CI 55.3–61.2%) for carcinomas, but significantly worse at 20.2% (95%CI 8.3–32.0%) and 24.2% (95%CI 16.4–32.0%) for melanomas and 38.3% (95%CI 23.3–53.5%) and 44.4% (95%CI 31.5–56.8%) for sarcomas. 5YSR and 5RSR correlated significantly with FIGO stages (5YSR: 66.9–10.1%; 5RSR: 81.7–11.9%, p = 0.04). Furthermore, survival depended on the absence of LN metastases (5RSR: 59.1% vs. 38.0%, p < 0.001), and the tumour grading had an influence (5RSR: 83.7–52.1%). We also noted that prognosis was worse for older patients ≥75 years (5RSR:51.2%) than for patients <55 years (62.2%) and 55–74 years of age (61.6%).

Conclusion

Unless LN metastases, local advanced tumours and G3 grading are associated with a worse prognosis. Relative survival of older patients decreases, perhaps indicating that treatment compromises have been made