Recent Trends in Relative Survival Rates of Vulvar and Vaginal Cancer: A SEER Analysis From 2004 Through 2022 [ID 134]

INTRODUCTION: Vaginal and vulvar cancers are critical gynecologic malignancies with significant health implications for affected women. Improving the survivability of these cancers is essential, as the physical and emotional toll can be profound, affecting not only quality of life but long-term health outcomes as well. METHODS: The National Cancer Institute’s SEER program was used to determine relative survival rates of women diagnosed with vulvar and vaginal cancer from 2004 through 2022. SEER defines relative survival rates as the ratio of the observed survival in a group of cancer patients to the expected survival in a comparable group of cancer-free individuals matched by age, gender, and ethnicity. Data collected from this included the year since diagnosis, age, and stage at diagnosis. Statistical analysis of this data was then done using either parametric tests due to the normality of the data, and a statistical significance was set as a P value of less than or equal to 0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in overall survivability was observed between vulvar and vaginal cancer across all years and age groups studied. Patients with vulvar cancer demonstrated higher relative survivability compared to those with vaginal cancer. Similar results were found for localized cancer, where patients with vulvar cancer demonstrated higher relative survivability compared to those with vaginal cancer at each year and age group studied. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Those with vulvar cancer have an increased rate of relative survivability as compared to those with vaginal cancer.