Vulvar Cancer

Symptoms: Persistent vulvar itching, discomfort, or soreness, especially in the absence of a known cause, are possible signs of vulvar cancer. There may also be outward alterations to the vulva's skin, such as lumps, ulcers, or non-healing sores. Furthermore, there may be unusual bleeding or vaginal discharge, which would call for a medical assessment.

Causes: The precise cause of vulvar cancer is not usually known, but a number of factors, including smoking, aging, vulva-affecting chronic skin disorders, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, enhance the risk. Furthermore, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), a history of precancerous lesions of the vulva, may predispose one to vulvar cancer.

Treatment: The course of treatment for vulvar cancer is determined by a number of variables, including the disease's stage and extent. To remove the malignant tissue, surgery may be used, such as radical vulvectomy or extensive local excision. Lymph node dissection could also be required in specific circumstances. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used either in conjunction with or without surgery, especially in more severe cases. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also being considered as possible vulvar cancer treatments. Improving prognosis for people with vulvar cancer requires early detection and thorough treatment planning.

Diagnosis: To confirm the existence of vulvar cancer and establish its stage, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted first. This includes a pelvic examination, a biopsy of any suspicious lesions, and imaging tests (such as MRI or CT scans).

Multidisciplinary Team Consultation: A group of medical experts, comprising radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and other specialists, works together to create a customized treatment plan that is suited to the patient's particular requirements.

Surgery: For vulvar cancer, surgical options include lymph node dissection (removing adjacent lymph nodes to assess for spread), vulvectomy (removing the vulva entirely or partially), and local excision (removing the tumor plus a limited margin of surrounding tissue).

Radiation therapy: In situations where surgery is not practical or to enhance surgical outcomes, radiation therapy can be performed either alone or in conjunction with surgery to specifically target and eradicate cancer cells.

Chemotherapy: When the cancer has progressed past the vulva, chemotherapy medications may be used either before or after surgery to decrease the tumor, kill cancer cells, and lower the chance of recurrence.

Immunotherapy: To strengthen the body's defenses against cancer cells and aid in the fight against the disease, doctors may give immunotherapy medications.

Follow-up Care: Following treatment, routine follow-up consultations are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment, manage any adverse effects, and keep an eye out for recurrences. To assist patients in adjusting to the psychological and physiological side effects of their treatment, rehabilitation and supportive care may also be offered.