Vulvar cancer is a rare condition that can be caused by HPV or genetic predisposition. Symptoms include lumps, skin discoloration, and bleeding. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment are crucial for recovery. Diagnosis is done through a physical exam and biopsy. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Vulvar cancer can refer to different types of malignant tumors that start on the vulva. The condition is very rare and is not well understood by doctors and medical researchers. Most cases are directly linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, but some otherwise healthy women may be genetically predisposed to developing a form of vulvar cancer later in life. Palpable lumps on the vulva, thickening and discoloration of the skin, and unusual bleeding can all be warning signs of cancer. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment are essential to provide the best chance of recovery.
HPV is a common type of sexually transmitted infection in women. There are many different strains of the virus, and most do not lead to cervical or vulvar cancer. If an HPV infection goes undetected or goes untreated for several years, the risk of cancer increases dramatically. In the absence of HPV, a family history of vulvar cancer or skin melanoma makes it more likely that a woman will develop cancer in her 70s. Finally, many cases appear to be sporadic and cannot be predicted based on health or genetics.
A tumor can appear anywhere on or around the vulva, but most tumors occur on the labia majora or clitoral hood. Injuries to the labia minora and clitoris are possible, but much less common. Early symptoms of vulvar cancer include thickening and hardening of the skin tissue, one or more lumps or lesions, and tenderness. A sore may bleed, burn, or itch if it breaks. If vulvar cancer isn’t treated, it can potentially spread to the cervix, lymph nodes, or skin around the external genitalia.
An ob-gyn can diagnose vulvar cancer by doing a careful physical exam and collecting a small sample of skin for a biopsy. A Pap smear is also usually done to confirm or rule out HPV involvement. If cancerous cells are indeed discovered during a biopsy, further diagnostic tests are conducted to make sure that the cancer is isolated to the vulva.
Vulvar cancer that is diagnosed in its early stages can usually be cured with surgery. A surgeon may choose to excise a tumor with a scalpel or use a laser to excise superficial cancer cells. If the tumors are deep within the skin tissue, a procedure called a vulvectomy may be needed to remove part or all of the vulva. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and further surgery may be considered if the cancer has already spread.
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