Autoradiographic and histological findings in vulva carcinomas with local bleomycin therapy

Bleomycin was administered to 25 female patients with vulva carcinoma with problematic location of high operation risk. Macroscopically, in 75% of the cases, there was a tumour reduction of more than 50%. In addition to an immediate effect, at a later date (tau- = 21 days) the tumour was observed to have diminished. Histologically, in the well-reacting tumours a higher differentiation, foreign body granulomas, tumour decomposition, tumour-giant cells, and proliferation of the connective tissue. The histological changes were accompanied by a significant restriction of the proliferation which could be proven autoradiographically. The reaction of the carcinomas depended on the stage of the tumour, the degree of differentiation of the tumours, on the initial proliferation activity, and the age of the patients, however not on the sort of pre-treatment and the extent of the carcinoma. The local application of BLM should be reserved exclusively for cases with problematic location and high operation risk. The application of BLM in connection with a radiotherapy or poly-chemotherapy is discussed for these cases. (orig.) 891 MG/orig. 892 RDG