Vulvar Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Cancer occurs when normal cells become abnormal and cancerous so they grow uncontrollably. Vulvar cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the vulva area. This is the external female sexual organ which includes the vaginal lips (labia minor and labia major), clitoris, and Bartholin’s glands.
There are two types of vulvar cancer, namely:
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, which is cancer cells that form in the thin, flat-surfaced cells that line the surface of the vulva.
- Vulva melanoma, which is a cancer cell that forms in pigment cells found in the skin of the vulva.
Vulvar cancer is a rare cancer compared to other cancers. This cancer is more common in women over 65 years of age or who have gone through menopause.
Symptom
Some of the symptoms of vulvar cancer include:
- Persistent itching of the vulva
- Pain in the vulva
- Raised or thickened skin that is red, white or dark
- Lumps or warts on the vulva
- Bleeding from the vulva
- Bloody discharge between periods
- Open sores on the vulva
- Burning sensation when urinating (BAK)
- Discolored or raised mole on the vulva
Reason
The exact cause of vulvar cancer is still unknown. However, there are several risk factors associated with vulvar cancer, such as:
- Age generally occurs in women who are elderly or have experienced menopause
- History of abnormal cells in the vagina that have the potential for cancer, namely VIN ( vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia )
- HPV infection (human papillomavirus), a sexually transmitted disease
- Skin disorders of the vulva such as lichen sclerosus
- Smoke
- HIV or AIDS sufferers
- History of genital warts
Diagnosis
In determining the diagnosis of vulvar cancer, the doctor will ask for a medical history and examine the vulva. A biopsy will be taken to examine a sample of the vulva in a laboratory.
After confirming the presence of cancer cells in the vulva, other follow-up tests may be performed. For example, examination with CT- scan and MRI to determine the stage of vulvar cancer. Cystoscopy and proctoscopy to examine the bladder and rectum.
Treatment
Treatment for vaginal cancer depends on the part of the vulva affected and the stage of the cancer. Vulvar cancer stages consist of:
- Stage 1, where there is a small tumor on the vulva and the cancer has not spread to other areas of the body.
- Stage 2, the tumor has spread to the surrounding area. Areas that may be affected are the urethra, vagina, and anus.
- Stage 3, a condition where the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
- Stage 4, divided into 2, namely stage 4A and stage 4B. In stage 4A, the cancer has spread to larger areas, such as the urethra, bladder, and rectum. Meanwhile, in stage 4B, the cancer has spread to areas farther from the vulva.
In general, the treatment of vulvar cancer includes:
- surgery to remove the cancer
- a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to kill malignant cells
Prevention
Some tips to reduce the risk of vulvar cancer include stopping smoking. In addition, prevent HPV infection by having healthy sex and not having free sex. Doing the HPV vaccine can also reduce the risk of getting infected with HPV and also vulvar cancer.