Abstract number 10: Use of biomarkers to predict recurrence in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva

Objectives: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) develops via two separate molecular pathways, one involving high-risk HPV infection, the other through early p53 mutation and no HPV infection. P16 biomarker expression (more easily performed in laboratories than HPV detection) is considered a surrogate for high-risk HPV infection. Most previous studies of recurrence in VSCC have focused on traditional surgical pathologic variables. We sought to determine whether the expression of certain molecular biomarkers was predictive of recurrence.