DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed stage I, II, III, or IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva amenable to curative treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, or both

  • At least 1 positive inguinal and/or femoral lymph node
  • No inoperable (fixed or ulcerating) groin nodes
  • Must not require resection of urethra or anal sphincter to achieve negative margins
• Must have undergone vulvar biopsy and bilateral inguinal/femoral lymph node dissection within 8 weeks of randomization
• No metastatic disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Any age

Performance status:

• GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal
• SGOT no greater than 3 times normal
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times normal

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other prior invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No more than 8 weeks since prior surgery

Other:

• No prior therapy for another malignancy that would preclude study