Vulvar Cancer
See also: Reproductive Cancer
What is it?
Vulvar cancer is a rare disease that occurs mainly in elderly women.
Women with this cancer are more likely to recover if the cancer
is diagnosed and treated early.
Vulvar Cancer refers to an abnormal, cancerous growth in the
external female genitalia.
Who gets it and what are its causes?
Vulvar cancer is a rare disease that occurs mainly in older women.
The vulva refers to the external female genitalia, which includes
the labia, the opening of the vagina, the clitoris, and the space
between the vagina and anus (perineum). Vulvar cancer can affect any
part of the female genitalia, but usually affects the labia. Most
vulvar cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cells are the
main cell type of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma often begins at
the edges of the labia majora or labia minora or the area around the
vagina. This type of cancer is usually slow growing and may begin
with a precancerous condition referred to as vulvar intraepithelial
neoplasti, or dysplasia. This means that precancerous cells are
present in the surface layer of skin.
Other less common types of vulvar cancer are melanoma, basal cell
carcinoma, adenocarcinomas, Paget’s disease of the vulva and tumors
of the connective tissue under the skin. Melanoma, a cancer that
develops from the cells that produce the pigment that determines the
skin’s color, can occur anywhere on the skin, including the vulva.
It’s the second most common type of vulvar cancer, and account for
about 4% of cases. Basal cell carcinoma, which is the most common type
of cancer that occurs on parts of the skin exposed to the sun, very
rarely occurs on the vulva. Adenocarcinomas develop from glands,
including the glands at the opening of the vagina that produce a
mucus-like lubricating fluid.
Vulvar cancer is most common in women over 50 years of age.
Additional risk factors for vulvar cancer include having multiple
sexual partners, cervical cancer, and the presence of chronic vaginal
and vulvar inflammations. This type of cancer is often associated with
sexually transmitted diseases.
What are the symptoms?
Vulvar Cancer-If squamous cell vulvar cancer is present, it
may appear as a raised red, pink or white nodule. Itching, pain,
bleeding, vaginal discharge and painful urination often accompany
it. Malignant melanoma of the vulva usually appears as a pigmented,
ulcerated growth. Other types of vulvar cancer may appear as a
distinct mass of tissue, sore and scaly areas, or cauliflower-like
growths that look like warts. Any abnormalities should be reported
to a gynecologist for examination.
Medical Treatment
The risk of cancer of the vulva can be
decreased by reducing the risk factors for the cancer, most of which
involve lifestyle factors. Specifically, to reduce the risk of
vulvar cancer, women should not smoke and should refrain from
engaging in risky sexual behavior. Good hygiene of the genital area
to prevent infection and inflammation may also reduce the risk of
vulvar cancer.
Regular examinations are necessary to detect precancerous
conditions that can be treated before the cancer becomes invasive.
Since some vulvar cancer is a type of skin cancer, the American Cancer
Society also recommends self-examination of the vulva using a mirror.
Surgical Treatment
Treatment for this cancer will depend on its
stage and the patient’s general state of health. The primary
treatment is surgery to remove the affected area and possibly the
associated lymph nodes. The surgery may be done by laser, to burn
off a minimal amount of tissue, or scalpel to remove more of the
tissue. The choice will depend on the severity of the cancer.
If a large area of the vulva is removed, it is called a vulvectomy.
A vulvectomy may require skin grafts from other areas of the body to
cover the wound. Surgery may also be followed by chemotherapy and
radiation therapy to kill additional cancer cells. All three of these
procedures have risks associated with them, which should be discussed
with the caregiver.
Physician's Who Treat Ovarian Cancer
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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