Use of Radiation Therapy in the Management of Vulvar Cancers-Identification and Management of Acute and Late Toxicities

Cristina DeCesaris; Sabrina Bedell; Kristen Kelley; David Gaffney; Gita Suneja; Lindsay Burt; Elke Jarboe; Jeffrey Brower

doi:10.1016/j.prro.2024.08.006

Use of Radiation Therapy in the Management of Vulvar Cancers-Identification and Management of Acute and Late Toxicities

Pract Radiat Oncol. 2024 Sep 19:S1879-8500(24)00216-9. doi: 10.1016/j.prro.2024.08.006. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Cristina DeCesaris¹, Sabrina Bedell², Kristen Kelley³, David Gaffney⁴, Gita Suneja⁴, Lindsay Burt⁴, Elke Jarboe⁵, Jeffrey Brower⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
⁴ Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
⁵ Department of Pathology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
⁶ Radiation Oncology Associates, Dover, Massachusetts.

PMID: 39303777
DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2024.08.006

Abstract

Radiation therapy plays a critical role in the management of locally advanced vulvar cancers but can lead to a unique spectrum of side effects, with >25% of patients experiencing high-grade toxicities. The treatment phase requires meticulous perineal skincare and may require pharmacologic management of dysuria and cystitis, diarrhea, nausea, and dermatitis/mucositis. The addition of chemotherapy warrants close laboratory monitoring for hematologic and metabolic derangements.