Embryonic mammary tissue may fail to regress, resulting in ectopic breast tissue in areas outside the breasts, including within the vulva. In exceedingly few instances, this tissue may undergo malignant transformation.
Cases:
Three cases of vulvar adenocarcinoma arising in ectopic breast tissue are presented. Tissue biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Surgical resection was performed for these patients. Adjuvant therapy was individually tailored to the metastatic spread and receptor positivity of the tumors, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy.
Results:
Radiation therapy was tolerated well by these patients, without undue side-effects. All three patients are alive and well 3 and 4 years post treatment.
Conclusions:
Treating patients with this vulvar malignancy with the established guidelines for breast carcinoma appears to be a rational approach with successful outcomes as occurred in the 3 patients presented in this report. (J GYNECOL SURG 33:22)
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