Overview

Vulvar Cancer is a type of cancer that affects the vulva, the external part of the women’s genitals. It typically begins in the skin cells or mucous membranes of the vulva. It is an age-related cancer and is usually found in females above the age bar of 60 years. Symptoms may include itching, pain, changes in the skin's colour or texture, and the presence of a lump or ulcer. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer.

Causes of Vulvar Cancer

The exact causes of vulvar cancer are not fully understood. However, certain factors may increase the risk of developing vulvar cancer:

- Age- Age is one of the biggest causes of vulvar cancer. Women above 60 are more prone to get affected by this form of cancer.
- HPV- Human PapillomaVirus, also known as HPV, is another probable cause of the disease. With time, warts caused due to the virus turn cancerous and increase the chances of the female getting affected by the medical issue. Most vulvar cancer cases are caused due to HPV 16 and 18.
- Smoking- Smoking or tobacco use has been linked to an increased risk of vulvar cancer. It increases the chances of the individual getting affected by HPV, leading to genital cancer.
- Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN)- VIN is a precancerous condition characterised by abnormal cell changes in the vulvar skin. If left untreated, VIN can progress to vulvar cancer.
- Immune System Suppression- Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients taking immunosuppressive medications, have a higher risk of developing vulvar cancer.
- Personal or Family History- A history of cervical, vaginal, or anal cancer or a family history of vulvar cancer may increase the risk.
- Chronic Skin Conditions- Certain chronic skin conditions, such as lichen sclerosus and lichen planus, have been associated with an increased risk of vulvar cancer.

Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

Mentioned below are vulvar cancer symptoms that help to identify the disease at the right time in the initial stages and begin the treatment to lower the severe symptoms:

- Itching- Excessive itching is one of the initial symptoms of the cancerous lump. Continuous itching can also lead to symptoms such as skin redness, rashes, and even bleeding in severe cases.
- Pain- Genital cancer can be identified with the help of a lump in the outer region of the genitalia. The lump can be itchy and painful if not treated correctly. Hence, the condition irritates the affected individual while passing urine.
- Bleeding- Bleeding from the cancerous lump is one of the symptoms of the disease. It may be caused due to excessive itching and rashes near the lump. It also leads to pain and tenderness of the affected skin due to infection.
- Swelling- Swelling is another symptom of vulvar cancer. The condition is accompanied by itching, and bleeding, along with rashes caused due to infections such as LSA (Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus). There is a noticeable change in the colour and thickness of the skin on the vulva.
- Pain during Sexual Intercourse- Pain during sexual intercourse is another symptom of the cancerous disease. The pain can also signify various other forms of genital cancer. Hence, getting the symptom checked with the help of medical assistance should be the first step.

Treatment for Vulvar Cancer

Mentioned below are the vulvar cancer treatment options that help to lower the symptoms and heal the disease at the earliest possible time:

- Surgery- Different types of surgeries for cancer at different parts of the genital can help to lower the symptoms. Cutting cancerous tissue, vulvectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and lymph node removal help eliminate the cancerous lump.
- Radiation Therapy- Radiation therapy is helpful and is one of the most used methods to heal different forms of cancer. Radiation therapy helps kill cancerous cells and eliminate genital cancer. The radiation beam emitting machine moves around the body to detect the precise points for the beams to work.
- Chemotherapy- Chemotherapy is another highly used treatment option to eliminate different types of cancers. The method involves using drugs that help kill cancerous cells and reverse the cancerous disease. The drugs are induced in the body through a vein in the arm or orally through the mouth. The therapy can also be combined with other forms of therapy for speedy recovery.
- Immunotherapy- This therapy aims at stimulating the immune system to identify, recognise and attack cancer cells. Certain immunotherapeutic drugs may be used to treat advanced or recurrent vulvar cancer.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Gynecology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Vulvar Cancer is a type of cancer in the vulva, the external genitalia of a female. The cancer can be detected with the help of the cancerous lump found in the outer region of the vulva. Cancer can be treated with the help of different therapies and medication.

FAQ’s about Vulvar Cancer

Q. What is Vulvar Cancer? A. A cancerous lump found in the outer region of the vulva caused due to different reasons is known as Vulvar Cancer.

Q. What are the risk factors of Vulvar Cancer? A. Smoking, ageing, a weak immune system, a family history of the disease, and skin tissues of the vulva are some risk factors for Vulvar Cancer.

Q. What are the symptoms of Vulvar Cancer? A. Vulvar Cancer Symptoms include itching, swelling, pain during sexual intercourse, and various similar symptoms.

Q. What are the treatment options for Vulvar Cancer? A. Vulvar Cancer can be treated with the help of chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, radiation therapy, and various other forms of therapies.

Reference Links

- https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/sexual-and-reproductive-health-srh/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vulvar-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20368051