Vulvar Cancer Overview
Vulvar Cancer at a Glance
Although vulvar cancer can occur on all parts of the external organs, most frequently affects the labia minora or labia majora. This is a rare disease and very serious since it's cancerous. For example, vulvar cancer can adversely affect a woman's sexual function.
There are around 6,000 new cases of vulvar cancer every year in the USA.
Vulvar Cancer Cause
While Human papillomavirus causes around half of vulvar squamous cell cancer, a chronic skin condition known as lichen sclerosus is responsible for the other remaining half.
Vulvar Cancer Signs & Symptoms
The most common symptoms and signs of vulvar cancer are the following:
- Skin of the vulva appears white and even feels rough
- An open sore which persists for over a month
- Constant itching
- Severe burning, pain or itching
- Changes in the color and the way the vulva looks
- Bleeding or discharge, unrelated to menstruation
Know that it takes many years for observable symptoms to develop. Vulvar melanoma amounts to around 5% of all vulvar cancers. It shows up as a dark patch of discoloration. Through a process called metastasis, there exists a high danger of this kind of cancer spreading to other parts of the human body.
