Clinicopathological Spectrum of Vulvar Lesions-A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Vulvar lesions constitute a wide spectrum ranging from non neoplastic inflammatory lesions to malignancies. Some show nodular masses and others remain asymptomatic. This poses challenges to clinicians in differentiating non neoplastic inflammatory dermatoses from benign and malignant lesions. Along with the clinical history and physical examination, a biopsy of the lesion plays an important role in proper diagnosis and treatment.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify the morphological spectrum of vulvar lesions with clinical and histological findings.

Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in the Konaseema region of India for two years from January 2019 to January 2021. A total of 85 female patients with vulvar lesions were included in the study. Biopsy samples were obtained from all the 85 cases and were formalin-fixed, routinely processed, and paraffin embedded. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining was done. Special stains were done wherever necessary. The results were analysed using Microsoft excel.

Results: The age of patients ranged from 18-88 years. The most common age of patients was in the 4th decade (30 cases amounting for 35.29%). The mean age of the study population was 39.5±15 years. Among the 82 cases, 40 (48.78%) were non neoplastic lesions, and 42 (51.21%) were neoplastic lesions. Among the neoplastic category, 27 (64.2%) were benign lesions and 15 (35.71%) were malignant lesions. The non neoplastic category included five infections (12.5%) and 35 non infectious inflammatory lesions (87.5%). The infections included one case of MC and 4 cases of condyloma acuminatum. The non infectious, and non neoplastic inflammatory lesions included 10 cases of Lichen Sclerosus Atrophicus (LSA), one case of Lipomatoushamartoma, four cases of Lichen planus, six cases of epidermal cysts, 10 cases of Bartholin cysts and four cases of Gartner duct cyst. The benign lesions in the neoplastic category included four cases of Hidradenomapapilliferum, four cases of Aggressive Angiomyxoma (AA), 12 cases of Fibroepithelial Stromal Polyps (FEP), and a case of Leiomyoma. The malignant lesions included 14 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and a case of extramammary Paget’s disease.

Conclusion: Vulvar lesions can be due to eclectic causes and pose a diagnostic difficulty both clinically and histopathologically due to their similar presentation. Thorough clinical and pathological examination along with proper clinicopathological correlation is required for accurate diagnosis and treatment.