Final answer:
Surgical treatment for vulvar cancer now favors minimally invasive techniques and conservative local excision over radical vulvectomy and extensive lymphadenectomy, focusing on organ preservation and reducing morbidity while maintaining oncological safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Changes in Surgical Treatment for Vulvar Cancer
Surgical treatment for vulvar cancer has evolved significantly in recent years. Historically, treatment often included radical vulvectomy and extensive lymphadenectomy, which could lead to significant morbidity. However, with the aim of reducing the physical and psychological impact on patients, there has been a transition to minimally invasive techniques and a shift toward conservative local excision. These modern surgical approaches prioritize organ preservation and functional outcomes while maintaining the goal of oncological safety.
Current surgical practices focus on removing the cancerous tissue with a safe margin while sparing as much of the normal vulvar tissue as possible, paired with sentinel lymph node biopsy when appropriate rather than more extensive lymph node dissection. This shift towards a more conservative surgical approach is based on evidence that suggests similar survival rates with reduced postoperative complications and better quality of life for patients. However, it is crucial to ensure that the entire tumor is removed with no cancerous cells at the margins of the excised tissue to enhance the chances of curing the cancer.