Vulvar CancerVulvar cancer, or cancer of the perineum, is a form of cancer found only in women, and especially in women over the age of 50. It may be one of the cancers caused by the human papilloma virus (or HPV), for which a vaccine has recently been developed.
In vulvar cancer, malignant cells are found in the vulva. Symptoms include small ucerative sores and bumps in the vulva, especially the labia; color changes to white; itching, pain, burning, bleeding, and non-menstrual discharge; pain when urinating; and pain when havin sexual intercourse. However, about twenty percent of women have no symptoms at all.
Doctors normally perform a routine pelvic examination to detect early changes in the vulva. If abnormalities are found, excision and biopsy of the lesion must be done in order to accurately diagnose vulvar cancer. About ten percent of these cancers are malignant melanomas, eighty percent squamous epithelium; the others vary.
Treatment of vulvar cancer in the case of a malignancy is often a vulvectomy, removing the growth and surroundings of the cancer or as much as the whole vulva (including clitoris) and some glands in the groin and skin. Sexual function afterwards is possible, but likely to be limited.
Web Resources On Vulvar Cancer
Medline Plus: Vulvar Cancer
National Cancer Inst. on Vulvar Cancer
Book Resources On Vulvar CancerThe Official Patient's Sourcebook on Vulvar Cancer by Icon Health Publications
21st Century Complete Medical Guide to Vaginal Cancer and Vulvar Cancer by PM Medical Health News
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