Laser CO2 treatment for vulvar lymphedema secondary to gynecological cancer therapy: A report of two cases and review of the literature

Sopracordevole,Francesco; Mancioli,Francesca; Canzonieri,Vincenzo; Buttignol,Monica; Giorda,Giorgio; Ciavattini,Andrea

doi:10.3892/ol.2015.2961

April-2015 Volume 9 Issue 4

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April-2015 Volume 9 Issue 4

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Article

Laser CO2 treatment for vulvar lymphedema secondary to gynecological cancer therapy: A report of two cases and review of the literature

Authors:
- Francesco Sopracordevole
- Francesca Mancioli
- Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Monica Buttignol
- Giorgio Giorda
- Andrea Ciavattini
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Affiliations: Department of Gynecological Oncology, Oncological Referral Center, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Pordenone 33081, Italy, Department of Woman's Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60123, Italy, Division of Pathology, Oncological Referral Center, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Pordenone 33081, Italy
Pages: 1889-1892
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Published online on: February 12, 2015

https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2015.2961
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Abstract

Vulvar lymphedema is an uncommon and disabling side‑effect of pelvic lymphadenectomy and pelvic radiotherapeutic treatment for invasive genital cancer. Lymphorrhea, a complication of lymphedema, may be extremely distressing for patients due to the requirement to wear sanitary towels and as the pain and loss of elasticity of the vulvar skin and mucosa can cause discomfort during coitus. Surgical treatments of lymphorrhea and vulvar lymphedema secondary to gynecological cancer treatments remain controversial and are not currently considered to be the standard therapy. The present study reports two cases of vulvar lymphedema complicated by vulvar lymphorrhea in females who had undergone treatment for cervical and endometrial cancer, respectively; a review of the literature is also included. In the two present cases, vulvar lymphedemas were refractory to standard treatments, including decongestive therapy, manual lymph drainage, elastic bandaging, low‑stretch bandaging, exercises and skin care. Laser CO2 excision and vaporization of the whole skin and mucosal tissue of the vulva was successfully performed to treat the lymphorrhea and improve quality of life. Thus, the present two cases indicated that laser CO2 surgery may present an additional therapy for the treatment of genital lymphedema that is refractory to other treatments.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Laser CO2 treatment for vulvar lymphedema secondary to gynecological cancer therapy: A report of two cases and review of the literature

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