Less common gynecologic malignancies.
OBJECTIVES: To review the incidence, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and nursing implications of the uncommon gynecologic malignancies of vulvar carcinoma, vaginal carcinoma, sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary, and gestational trophoblastic tumors. DATA SOURCES: Research studies, review articles, medical and nursing textbooks. CONCLUSIONS: Vulvar and vaginal cancers, sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary, and gestational trophoblastic tumors are rare malignancies constituting less than 5% of all malignant diagnoses. If detected early these malignancies have a high possibility of cure. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses play an important role in the education of women and patients to the signs and symptoms of gynecologic malignancies, the disease process, treatment options, follow-up care, and resources available to these women.