The vulva is the external portion of the female genital organs. Vulvar cancer is a rare disease that can occur on any part of the external organs, but most often affects the labia majora or labia minora.
What are the most common risk factors for uterine cancer?
Vulvar cancer is common over the age of 50. It can result from chronic Vulvar inflammation, infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), lichen sclerosis, melanoma or atypical moles on non-Vulvar skin and Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). It is also common among smokers.
What are the symptoms of Vulvar cancer?
The symptoms may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult your physician for diagnosis. The following are the most common symptoms, constant itching or pain, changes in the color and the way the vulva looks, bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation
How can Vulvar cancer be prevented?
The cause of Vulvar cancer is not currently known, however, Suggestions for prevention include: Delay onset of sexual activity. Use condoms. , Do not smoke. , Have regular physical checkups. , Have routine Pap tests and pelvic examinations. , Routinely check entire body for irregular growth of moles.
How is Vulvar cancer diagnosed?
Vulvar cancer is diagnosed by biopsy, removing a section of tissue for examination in a laboratory by a pathologist.
How to treat Vulvar cancer?
The treatment depends upon whether the cancer has spread to involve other tissues in the pelvis or not. It also depends on the general health of the patient and permission for operations.
Generally treatment for patients with cancer of the vulva may include surgery :
- laser surgery to destroy abnormal cells
- Excision of the cancer cells and a margin of normal appearing skin around it.
- vulvectomy – surgical removal of part of all of the tissues of the Vulvar
- radiation therapy or chemotherapy