Background: In cases of advanced vulvar cancer with non-resectable lesions, permanent cure is extremely rare. In the past, chance for improved outcomes was sought in extensive exenterative procedures, resulting in significant disability and compromising the patients functioning. An alternative therapeutic option of far-advanced vulvar cancer is radiotherapy, either used as a stand-alone modality or as neoadjuvant modality, prior to surgery. At present, chemosensibility of vulvar cancer is relatively well documented. Implementation of synchronous chemotherapy with a 15-20% reduction of total dose of radiotherapy provides a favourable therapeutic index. The aim of this paper is to evaluate tumour response to radiochemotherapy in patients with advanced vulvar cancer, based on own experience to-date. Material and method: Since January 1^st, 2005 thru December 31^st, 2008, at the Department of Female Genital Tumours of the Centre of Oncology in Warsaw, we have treated 17 patients with planoepithelial vulvar cancer in clinical stages T3 and T4, N0-N2M0, aged 56-81 years (mean: 68 years). The patients were irradiated with photons X (6-15 MeV) over vulvar area, inguinal lymph nodes and pelvis. Total doses delivered to vulvar area ranged from 50 to
65 Gy (depending on extent of tumour infiltration) and to pelvic and inguinal lymph nodes – 45-65 Gy. Chemotherapy consisted of 5-FU at the dose of 750-1000 mg/m², administered in a 96-hours’ infusion on days 1^st-4^th and cisplatin at a dose of 50 mg/m² on day 1^st, administered on the 1^st and 5^th week of radiotherapy. Results: Complete regression of tumour (complete response, CR) was achieved in 7 (41%) patients, partial response (PR) – in 9 (53%) patients, and progression of disease in spite of the therapy was observed in 1 (6%) patient. In 3 (33%) patients who obtained partial response, at surgery only radiation-induced damage was seen, with no viable tumour remnants. Conclusions: Radiochemotherapy should be considered the treatment of choice in far-advanced vulvar cancer. Treatment plan should be elaborated by qualified gynaecologists-oncologists, in close cooperation with radiotherapists. Surgery should be reserved for patients with recurrent disease or those with incomplete regression after radiotherapy.