Disparities in vulvar cancer reported by the national cancer database: Influence of sociodemographic factors

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there is an association of patient sociodemographic factors with stage at diagnosis, treatment, and overall survival in patients with vulvar cancer in the National Cancer Database. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with primary squamous vulvar carcinoma identified from the National Cancer Database (1998-2004). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine risk factors associated with advanced-stage (stage III or IV) disease at diagnosis. Multivariable Cox regression models were performed to explore risk factors associated with 5-year all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of 11,153 patients, 42.3% (n=4,713) were diagnosed with stage I disease, 24.6% (n=2,745) stage II, 22.9% (n=2,556) stage III, and 10.2% (n=1,139) stage IV. Advanced stage was significantly associated with older age, nonprivate insurance, and treatment at a lower case volume center (P<.01). Of note, roughly 30% of patients with advanced-stage disease did not receive radiation therapy. Within the advanced stages, age 60 years or older and insurance type were associated with decreased survival (P<.01). In stage III disease, only black race and treatment at a community hospital were associated with a lower risk of death (P<.01). CONCLUSION: Patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are significantly associated with vulvar cancer stage presentation, treatment, and survival. Unfortunately, within this disease, surgical approaches and adjuvant radiation do not appear consistent.