Vulva Cancer

VULVA CANCER

Vulva cancer. Any part of the external female genitals can develop vulvar cancer, also referred to as vulval cancer, cancer of the vulva, or vulva cancer. The labia minora, or inner lips, the labia majora, or outer lips, and the perineum, or skin between the vagina and the anus, are where vulva.cancer most frequently appears.

VULVA CANCER

Typically, vulvar cancer progresses gradually over a number of years. Usually, precancerous tissue develops first. Usually, medical professionals find the abnormal development in your skin’s outermost layer. The term vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia refers to these precancerous lesions.

Types

Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulvar: Squamous cell carcinomas account for about 90% of vulvar malignancies. Your skin’s surface cells are where they grow.
Vulvar melanoma: Melanomas make up about 5% of vulvar malignancies. Melanomas grow quickly and are likely to spread to other parts of your body.

Signs

Symptoms of vulvar cancer include: Color changes, such as areas of white skin or skin that seems lighter or darker than usual.
regions of rough or thick skin.
growths, such as wart-like pimples, lumps, or non-healing ulcers.
burning or itching that doesn’t go away.
bleeding that has nothing to do with periods or menstruation.
Pain and tenderness, possibly during urination or intercourse.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, consult your physician. It’s critical to get evaluated as soon as possible because vulvar cancer symptoms typically don’t show up in the early stages.

However, a lot of these symptoms are also prevalent in illnesses that are not malignant. You might ask your doctor if these changes indicate vulvar cancer or something else.

Causes

A frequent sexually transmitted illness (STI) that is contracted by skin-to-skin contact is the human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain HPV strains raise your risk of developing certain malignancies, such as vulvar, rectal, anal, and cervical cancer.
A chronic (lifelong) skin disorder is lichen sclerosus. On your vulva, lichen sclerosus results in inflammation and other symptoms like skin changes and itching.

Treatment

Laser surgery: This procedure removes malignant surface lesions or makes bloodless incisions in tissue using a laser beam.
Local excision: This procedure eliminates the cancer along with a small to big portion of surrounding healthy tissue. In order to screen for cancer cells or when there is evidence of malignancy, healthcare professionals occasionally remove surrounding lymph nodes.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy targets cancer cells all over your body with medications. The medication may be either orally or by injection into a vein or muscle by your healthcare professional. A lotion that you can apply straight to your vulva might be given to you. This type of chemotherapy targets cancer in a more localized manner.
Your lower colon, rectum, bladder, cervix, vagina, ovaries, and surrounding lymph nodes are removed during a pelvic exenteration procedure. Urine and stool will flow from your body into a collection bag through holes made by your healthcare provider.

Summary

Your health is largely up to you. Learn about your vulva and every other area of your body. Being aware of your current appearance can make it easier to spot changes. Additionally, schedule a visit with your healthcare practitioner as soon as you see any changes. Don’t neglect to see your gynecologist in the interim. They are able to spot precancerous alterations before they worsen.