Cancer of the vulva is a malignant tumor of the female external genital organs. The disease is quite rare (accounting for 4% of all malignant gynecological neoplasms or 2-3 cases per 100,000 women). It affects mainly women aged 55-75 years and only in 15% of cases - women under the age of 40 years.
It can have the form of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva (affecting the uppermost layer of the skin and mucous membranes of the external genital organs), but also spread into the deeper layers of the epidermis. The risk of developing a tumor throughout life is 0.2%, and the death rate from the disease does not exceed 0.5 cases per 100 thousand diseased, in the case of a timely diagnosis.
Symptoms of vulvar cancer
The symptom is pronounced, however, in spite of this, in 66% of cases the diagnosis is made in the late stages of the disease. The first alarm is painful itching in the area of the external genitalia, which can be intensified by applying soap for intimate hygiene, after stress or intercourse, and at night. Most women do not give this symptom the proper meaning. In later stages of the vulva, peeling, small sores or painful seals appear. The location can be different: on the eve of the vagina, the clitoris, on the large or small labia.
Causes and factors of development of vulvar cancer
- Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ).
- Age.
- Trophic changes in the skin (thinning, peeling, etc.).
- Infection with the human papilloma virus, sexually transmitted.
- Frequent change of sexual partners.
- Smoking.
Stages and diagnosis of vulvar cancer
- Stage I is characterized by small tumor sizes (no more than 2 mm in diameter) and a limited location (between the vagina and anus).
- II stage is also characterized by limited localization, but large tumor sizes (more than 2 mm in diameter).
- Stage III characterizes the spread of a tumor of any size to the vagina, urethra, anus. There may also be metastases (secondary tumor sites) in the femoral and inguinal lymph nodes.
- Stage IV is characterized by metastases to other organs, the spread of a tumor of any size to the bladder, rectum.
Diagnosis of vulvar cancer is possible at any stage and includes:
- Examination of the patient using a magnifying glass or a special instrument (colposcopy);
- biopsy (collection of tissue cells for examination);
- taking a smear on oncocytology (allows you to detect changes in cells).
Treatment of vulvar cancer
The choice of method of treatment depends on the location of the tumor and the stage of the disease. In the first stage, the surgical (operation) is an effective method. If the tumor is a small tumor (less than 2 mm), then only the tumor is removed. In other cases, a vulvectomy is performed (removal of the external genitalia).
The second and third stages show a combined treatment, including surgical methods and radiation therapy (to reduce the size of the tumor). At the fourth stage of the disease combine surgical methods, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
It is possible to treat vulvar cancer with folk remedies, however, not as a separate method, but only as an additional method. "Folk healers" offer many recipes: tincture of hemlock, tincture of birch mushroom chaga, decoctions of herbs (calendula, elecampane, immortelle, wormwood, viburnum), etc. However, people's funds should be taken only after consultation with the attending physician.