The
extent of the surgery depends on the depth of invasion of the
tumour, defined as the measurement from the epithelial–
stromal junction of the most adjacent superficial dermal
papilla to the deepest point of invasion. The most common
histological types are squamous carcinomas (85–90%), but
adenocarcinoma, melanoma and Bartholin’s gland cancers
also occur. The International Federation of Gynaecology and
Obstetrics (FIGO) use surgical information to stage the
tumour (Table 2). The stage of disease allows insight into the
prognosis, for example 65–90% of women with stage 1
disease may expect a five-year survival. The stage identified
also assists in deciding any postoperative adjuvant therapy.