A cancer type that happens on the outer region of women’s genitalia is called vulvar cancer. The area of the skin around the urethra and vagina (including the clitoris and labia) is called the vulva. People who experience this cancer form can notice an itch lump or sore in the vulva. While vulvar cancer can happen at any age, it is most common in older adults.
Treatment usually involves surgery that removes the cancer and some healthy tissues. In some cases, surgeons may remove the whole vulva. However, early diagnosis and treatment may prevent the surgery needs.
Symptoms
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Persistent itching
- Skin changes (including color changes or thickening)
- Bleeding (not caused by periods)
- Lumps, bumps, or open sores (ulcers)
In case you experience any of the previous symptoms, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes
The exact cause of vulvar cancer is not clear. However, experts think that this cancer type occurs due to certain cell DNA mutations. Commonly, the accumulation of cells that form a tumor may be cancerous. Therefore, cancerous cells may spread to other nearby tissues and other body parts.
Vulvar Cancer Types
Experts classify this cancer type by the cell in which it starts. Check below the most common types:
- Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma – In such cases, the cancer begins in the tissue on the surface of the vulva. Most diagnosed vulvar cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
- Vulvar melanoma – Commonly, it starts in the pigment-producing cells located in the vulva’s skin.
Risk Factors
While the exact vulvar cancer cause is unknown, some factors may increase your risk of developing it. Examples include:
- Age – This cancer type can occur at any age but most people are diagnosed with vulvar cancer over 60 years old.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) – This is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that elevates your risk of several cancer forms including vulvar cancer, cervical cancer, and others. Usually, sexually active people are exposed to HPV but in most cases, it disappears on its own.
- Smoking
- Weakened immune system – People who administer medications that suppress the immune system or have HIV infection, are more prone to get vulvar cancer.
- History of precancerous conditions of the vulva – There are some vulva diseases that increase the risk of vulvar cancer. A precancerous condition is vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. However, it rarely turns into cancer.
- Skin condition involving vulva – A skin condition known as lichen sclerosus makes the vulva’s skin thin and itchy, which elevates the risk the cancer.
How to Prevent Vulvar Cancer?
One way to prevent this cancer type is to reduce the risk of STIs. For example:
- It is advised to use condoms or dental dams every time you have sex because it protects you from getting HPV.
- Getting the HPV vaccine is another way to get protected from this STI.
Diagnosis
Physicians usually perform the following tests to determine whether you have vulvar cancer or not. For example:
- Vulva examination – This test is very similar to a physical examination and doctors perform it to check for abnormalities.
- Examination of the vulva with a special magnifying device – Physicians use a device during colposcopy examination to look for detailed abnormal vulva regions.
- Biopsy – This test involves the removal of a tissue sample and testing it under a microscope for cancer cells. In addition, usually before this test, your doctor will give you a local anesthetic.
Moreover, if you were diagnosed with vulvar cancer, doctors may perform additional tests to determine the cancer’s extent. For example:
- Pelvic area examination for cancer spread
- Imaging tests – These include X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET).
There are 4 stages of vulvar cancer and the first stage means that cancer cells are limited to the vulva. If a person is diagnosed with end-stage vulvar cancer it means that the cancer spread to other body tissues and organs including the bladder, rectum, and others.
Treatment
Healthcare providers usually prescribe the treatment for vulvar cancer depending on its severity, location, and size. Moreover, some existing health conditions also can play a role.
Surgery
- Cancer removal – During this surgery, the doctor will remove the cancer and some healthy surrounding tissues.
- Vulvectomy – In such cases, surgeons remove either a part or completely the vulva (including underlying tissues). Those who experience large cancers may get chemo and radiation therapies before surgery. These treatments help to shrink the cancer before the surgeon will remove it.
- Sentinel node biopsy – Physicians will check if cancer spreads to other tissues including lymph nodes using sentinel node biopsy. If the cancer cells are not found in the first lymph nodes, it is less probably it be in other lymph nodes.
- Lymph node removal – Surgeons usually remove as many lymph nodes as needed to prevent the spreading to other parts of the body.
People who received surgery may experience some complications including healing problems, fluid retention, lymphedema, and others.
Radiation Therapy
This therapy uses energy beams (including X-rays) to destroy cancer cells. Sometimes, it can be used to shrink the vulvar cancer before surgery. Mostly, physicians prescribe radiation therapy along with chemotherapy because it is more effective.
Chemotherapy
This treatment option involves strong medications that kill cancer cells. It is usually taken through a vein or orally. Doctors prescribe these medicines for advanced vulvar cancer.
Targeted Drug Therapy
These are special medications that work by blocking certain substances required for cancer cell growth. As a result, they begin to die.
Immunotherapy
Medications that help to boost the body’s defense (immune system) to fight against cancer. This treatment option is also used mostly in people with advanced vulvar cancer.
Unfortunately, despite successful treatment vulvar cancer can return. That’s why doctors recommend regular checkups after treatment. Consult with your doctor for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is life expectancy in people with vulvar cancer?
The 5-year survival rate is roughly 70% in people with vulvar cancer. This rate increases to 86% if you have early vulvar cancer stages.
What is the main vulvar cancer cause?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) provokes approximately 70% of vulvar cancers.
Is vulvar cancer a curable condition?
Early diagnosis and treatment almost every time can cure this cancer type. The cure rate is roughly 90%. If you have additional questions, ask your physician.
