Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the optimal treatment and outcome of recurrent vulvar cancer. Methods: In a retrospective review of 162 cases with vulvar carcinoma between 1970 and 2000, there was an incidence rate of 2.9% of all female genital neoplasms. The different surgical strategies and various prognostic factors affecting recurrence were compared. Results: The overall 5-year survival of vulvar squamous cancer was 68.7% (90/131). The recurrence rate was 34.3% (45/131). Distribution of recurrence was as follows: 40.0% in the vulva, 42.2% in the inguinal region, 6.7% in the pelvic cavity and 11.1% as distant metastases. Conclusion: The rate of morbidity due to leukoplakia vulvae in the recurrent cases is higher than that of patients without recurrence (P<0.05). The physical location of the recurrence is an important factor affecting the prognosis. The prognosis is poor for those suffering recurrence within 2 years. Surgical intervention is the main treatment for decreasing the incidence of local recurrence of carcinoma of the vulva.