The vulvar cancer is typically a skin cancer that forms on the area surrounding the female genitalia. The cancer would appear as an itchy area, a sore, or a lump that does not seem to heal. In the United States alone, the cancer of the vulva is considered as the fourth most prevalent gynecologic cancer, making up 3 to 4 percent of all the cancers of the female reproductive system. It is usually experienced by women who have already gone through menopause. Thus, you can expect that the average age of women who are diagnosed of this disease is 70 years old. The longer a woman ages, the higher the risk for this cancer to be experienced.

The Risk Factors Involved with Vulvar Cancer

Aside from old age, here are the some of the other most common risks that could increase a woman’s chances of getting vulvar cancer:

1 Lichen sclerosus, which leads to unrelenting itching and vulvar scarring

2 Cancer of the cervix or the vagina

3 Infection caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV

4 Dysplasia or precancerous changes in the tissues of the vulva

5 Chronic granulomatous disease, which is a hereditary disease that weakens the immune system

6 Heavy smoking of cigarettes

Most cases of vulva cancers develop or form on or near the vaginal opening. Starting mostly on the vulvar surface, most cases of this disease grow gradually and slowly, thus remaining where it initially formed for a number of years. However, there are cases that quickly grow and develop. If left untreated, cancer of the vulva can affect the vagina, the anus, or the urethra over time and would invade the lymph nodes surrounding these areas as well.

The Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

The precancerous changes that occur on the onset of vulvar cancer may appear as brown, red, and white patches on the vulva. These patches are usually seen as red sores or flat or unusual lumps that could be felt and do not heal. There are times when these flat sores will become discolored or scaly or sometimes both, and the tissues surrounding the sores might contract and pucker.

Some of the sores indicating vulvar cancer might appear like warts while others may come in the form of melanomas that would appear raised and colored brown or bluish black. Itching is very common with vulvar cancer, and a degree of discomfort may be experienced with this as well. Over time, the sores or lumps on the vulva may bleed or emit watery discharges as well.

The Treatment of Vulvar Cancer

Depending on the stage of the vulvar cancer, all or parts of the vulva would need to be removed surgically to treat vulvar cancer. Known as vulvectomy, this procedure would also call for the removal of the lymph nodes that are near the vulva. For the early stages of the cancer, this treatment is normally all that would be required.

However, for vulvar cancers that are more advanced, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be called for as well before vulvectomy. Going through such treatments would shrink the very large cancers, thus making their removal easier. There are times when the clitoris as well as the other pelvic organs would have to be removed. After the surgery, reconstruction of the vulva and other organs affected would also be done so that appearance and function would be enhanced.