Vulvar Cancer

Best Vulvar Cancer Treatment Hospital in Delhi

The vulva is the region around the opening of the vagina that forms the external genitalia in women. It includes labia minora, labia majora, clitoris, vaginal opening, and Mons pubis. Vulvar cancer is a result of uncontrolled growth of cells in the tissues of the vulva. It usually develops in labia majora (the outer lip of the vagina) or labia minora (Inner lip). The survival rate of women after Stage I vulvar cancer is 90%, while that after Stage IV is around 30%.

Associated Anatomy of Vulvar Cancer

Vulva

Vulvar Cancer Epidemiology

Vulvar Carcinoma is predominantly a disease of postmenopausal women occurring in women between the age group 65 to 74. Eighty percent of women with untreated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia are at risk of vulvar cancer.

Causes of Vulvar Cancer

The exact cause of vulvar cancer is not clear yet. It is believed to be related to :

Human papillomavirus infection
HPV
Smoking
Lichen sclerosus - a skin condition
Squamous hyperplasia
Family history of melanoma

Risk factors of Vulvar Cancer

Not every woman is at risk of suffering from vulvar cancer. Several factors can increase the risk of vulvar cancer:

History of genital warts
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)
Abnormal pap smears
Lichen sclerosus (skin condition involving vulva)
Multiple sexual partners
Smoking
Weak immune system
Old age

Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

After suffering from any of the following symptoms in or around the vulva, women must visit a gynecologist:

Vulvar mass, growth, lump, ulcer or wart
Long standing history of vulval itching or burning
Redness, white patches or pale skin colour of vulva
Non-healing rashes or sore
Bleeding in the vulva that is not due to menstruation
Vulval discharge
Burning during urination
Occasionally a palpable metastatic mass in the groin

Typical Test to Diagnose Vulvar Cancer

There are various tests to diagnose cancer and its spread.

Vulval and pelvic examination - It includes a physical examination of the vulva to check for lumps or anything unusual. Physical examination is followed by biopsy of suspicious looking area of vulva or vulvar growth. A biopsy helps to confirm or refute the diagnosis. Pap smear helps to check the presence of associated HPV infection.
Colposcopy – A magnifying instrument called a colposcope visualizes the vulva, vagina, and cervix after application of medicated solution.
Cystoscopy (Bladder and urethral examination) – A lighted tube with a camera or cystoscope is inserted in the urethra & bladder to look out for tumor extension into the urethra or bladder. Proctoscopy (Rectum and anal examination) –
Proctoscope or a lighted tube with lens looks for tumour extension into the rectum and may collect some tissue samples for biopsy.
Imaging modalities like CT Scan, MRI or PET CT scan to look for the disease extent.

Stages of Vulvar Cancer

It is mandatory to diagnose the stage to determine the spread of vulvar cancer in the body.

Stage I – Tumor is confined to the vulva.

Stage II – In this stage, cancer spreads to the lower 1/3 of vagina, anus, or lower 1/3 urethra, but not to the lymph nodes.

Stage III – If cancer spreads to inguino – femoral (groin) lymph nodes, it results in stage III. It is further divided into stages III A, III B, and III C depending upon the size and the number of lymph nodes involved.

Stage IV – This stage is divided into Stage IV A and IV B, depending upon the extent of cancer spread to the upper parts of the urethra, vagina, bladder mucosa, rectal mucosa, fixity to bone and other body parts.

Types of Vulvar Cancer

The most common type of vulvar cancer is squamous cell carcinoma accounting for 90% of the cases. Other less common types of vulvar cancer include adeno carcinoma, melanoma, sarcoma & verrucous carcinoma.

Natural Progression of Vulvar Cancer

This cancer develops slowly over years. Precancerous lesions are abnormal cells in the outermost layer of the skin or epidermis. These are termed vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).

Possible Treatment of Vulvar Cancer

Management of vulvar cancer requires an experienced multidisciplinary team approach. The treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer, age and general health of the patient. Various treatment options available for vulvar cancer are:

Surgery for Vulvar Cancer

Surgery removes all the cancerous cells without affecting sexual functioning. The types of surgeries include -

Radical wide local excision - cancerous growth over vulva is removed with a margin of healthy tissue.
Radical Vulvectomy – The doctor removes the vulval growth and groin lymph nodes. Skin grafts may be used to replace the removed skin.
Removal of groin lymph nodes
Closure of large skin defects by flaps
Pelvic exenteration - When the primary disease involves the anus, rectum or proximal urethra, then surgery involves removal of bladder, urethra, anus, rectum, vagina, uterus, cervix and both ovaries along with Radical vulvectomy and bilateral groin lymph node removal.
Definitive radiation therapy - External radiation therapy delivers high-energy radiation through the skin to the targeted region using a machine and kills the cancerous cells. Internal radiation therapy transfers the radioactive substances sealed in needles, wires, or catheters directly into the cancerous cells.
Chemo-radiation therapy
Chemotherapy - includes medications that kill cancerous cells

Primary Prevention of Vulvar Cancer

There is no screening test for vulvar cancer, so it is necessary to be aware of the signs and symptoms for early diagnosis. Prevention of HPV -

Prevention of infection by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can prevent women from vulvar cancer.

Vaccines – There are two types of vaccines to prevent infection with high risk HPV: Recombinant HPV Quadrivalent Vaccine and Recombinant HPV Nonavalent Vaccine.

Secondary Prevention of Vulvar Cancer

Follow-up after the treatment includes physical examination and some tests to determine the effectiveness of treatment and to detect any recurrent growth.

Regular checkups and physical examinations by the gynaecologist
Avoid smoking
Self-examination of vulva

Expected Prognosis of Vulvar Cancer

The survival rate of vulvar cancer is very high. Nearly 70% of the survivors live for at least 5 years after the diagnosis.

Possible Complications of Vulvar Cancer

Spread of cancer to lymph nodes, anus, or lower vagina
Spread of cancer to the bladder, pelvic bone or urethra
Urinary tract infections
Lower limb swelling
Cellulitis

Our BLK-Max Medical Experts

If you are facing any similar signs or symptoms please contact the BLK-Max team to schedule an appointment at : +91-11-30403040

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Vulvar Cancer

Best Vulvar Cancer Treatment Hospital in Delhi

Associated Anatomy of Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar Cancer Epidemiology

Causes of Vulvar Cancer

Risk factors of Vulvar Cancer

Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

Typical Test to Diagnose Vulvar Cancer

Stages of Vulvar Cancer

Types of Vulvar Cancer

Natural Progression of Vulvar Cancer

Possible Treatment of Vulvar Cancer

Surgery for Vulvar Cancer

Primary Prevention of Vulvar Cancer

Secondary Prevention of Vulvar Cancer

Expected Prognosis of Vulvar Cancer

Possible Complications of Vulvar Cancer

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