Vulvar Cancer - Symptoms & Treatment
Overview
Vulvar cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the vulva (the skin surrounding the female genitalia) including the skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina.
Risk Factors
- Age: Women above the age of 65 are more prone to the disease. It may, occur at any age
- Infection with HPV (human papillomavirus)
Signs and Symptoms
- Persistent itching
- Pain and tenderness
- Bleeding not associated with menstruation
- Color changes/ thickening of the skin
- A lump/ bumps that resemble warts or an ulcer
Diagnosis
- Colposcopy: It is a procedure that uses an instrument with magnifying lens, called a colposcope to examine the cervix for abnormalities.
Treatment
- Surgery
- Surgeries to treat vulvar cancer include:
- Wide local excision or radical excision- Removal of the cancer with a margin of healthy-looking..
- Surgeries to treat vulvar cancer include:
FAQ
- How quickly does vulvar cancer progress?
- Can cancer of the vulva be cured?
- Will I need chemo for vulvar cancer?
- Do Pap smears detect vulvar cancer?
