Cancer of the Vulva Is on the Rise
Cancer of the vulva commonly affects the labia and the clitoris. Unfortunately, 20% of women don’t develop any symptoms. Read the article and raise your awareness!
Increasingly more women develop cancer of the vulva. (jlp)
Vulvar cancer first affects the vulva, that is the external part of the female reproductive organs. In most cases, it affects the labia and sometimes also the clitoris (in around 10% of cases).
What causes the cancer of the vulva?
Cancer of the vulva is very rare, but increasingly more older women develop it. There are various possible causes and complex factors. One of them is 
sexually transmitted diseases, such as HPV or genital warts. The human papilloma virus is blamed for 30-50% of cases. Women after menopause are most likely to suffer from this type of cancer. Approximately 15% of women who develop the cancer of the vulva are 40 year old or younger. Risk factors for the development of cancer of the vulva are diabetes, high blood pressure, previous cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, syphilis infection, obesity, frequent change of sexual partners, pruritis or chronic itching of the vulva. Women who haven’t had children yet are especially at risk.
Preventive measures you can take
Practising safe sex can reduce the risk of developing the cancer of the vulva. Moreover, the HPV vaccine protects against the potential development of the cancer of the vulva. The vaccine also protects against other types of cancer linked to HPV. Gynaecological examinations are of key importance for early detection of vulval cancer. Preventive measures also include self-examination of the vulva.
The symptoms of cancer of the vulva often aren't readily noticeable, so you need to pay close attention to any changes in your body. (jlp)
Indicators of the cancer of the vulva
Cancer of the vulva has several symptoms: itching, pain, a burning sensation and bleeding caused by a lump or ulcer that doesn’t heal. Women suffering from cancer of the vulva have painful sexual intercourse and also feel pain when passing urine. A lump located mainly on the labia majora or anywhere else on the vulva can also develop into cancer. An indicator of the cancer of the vulva is an unusual smell. However, approximately 20% of women don’t develop any symptoms. In particular at the beginning symptoms often aren’t noticeable. Another indicator of vulval cancer can be a lump that becomes painful and itches. Dark-colored patches on the skin of the vulva are typical of melanomas.
Vulval cancer test
Cancer of the vulva is detected by biopsy and gynaecological and cytological examinations which determine changes to the skin. It’s important to keep a personal health diary in which you write any potential changes in order to detect vulval cancer. This can also provide detailed information on the basis of which it’s easier for your doctor to make the right diagnosis.
Treatment of cancer of the vulva
Treatment requires an operation where cancer cells are removed. The most extensive operations on the labia majora are performed in case of the cancer of the vulva. If the tumor grows (more than 0.8 inches or 2 centimetres) or if it has grown deep inside the skin, lymph glands and glands in the groin can also be removed. Other procedures often used in case of widespread cancer or recurrent cancer of the vulva are radiation and chemotherapy. A treatment outcome depends on several factors. The stage of the disease in which it was detected is very important, so you need to pay attention to any physical changes. The survival rate is approximately 75%. After such an operation, the sexual activity of women is uncertain because of a narrow entrance to their vagina and the long-lasting recovery after the operation. Regular sexual relations are possible only after the wound is completely healed and when a woman doesn’t have other localized problems.
Vulvar cancer can also affect the clitoris. (jlp)
Possible complications related to cancer of the vulva
Cancer of the vulva can spread to other parts of the body. The vulva is intertwined by numerous blood and lymph vessels, which means that cancer cells spread rapidly to the nearby organs. Organs such as the bladder, vagina and anus are most at risk. Additional complications are caused by the side effects of radiation, operation and chemotherapy. These side effects are damaged vulva, potential loss of hair, weight loss and poor general physical and mental well-being.
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