Vulvar cancer

Vulvar cancer
Drawing of vulvar cancer
SpecialtyGynecology
SymptomsLump, itchiness, changes in the skin, or bleeding of the vulva[1]
Usual onsetAfter the age of 45[2]
TypesSquamous cell cancer, adenocarcinoma, melanoma, sarcoma, basal cell carcinoma.[3]
Risk factorsVulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), HPV infection, genital warts, smoking, many sexual partners[1][3]
Diagnostic methodPhysical examination, tissue biopsy[1]
Differential diagnosisLichen sclerosus, hyperplasia[4]
PreventionHPV vaccination[5]
TreatmentSurgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biologic therapy[1]
PrognosisFive-year survival ~ 71% (US 2015)[2]
Frequency44,200 (2018)[6]
Deaths15,200 (2018)[6]

Vulvar cancer is a cancer of the vulva, the outer portion of the female genitals.[1] It most commonly affects the labia majora.[1] Less often, the labia minora, clitoris, or Bartholin's glands are affected.[1] Symptoms include a lump, itchiness, changes in the skin, or bleeding from the vulva.[1]

Risk factors include vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), HPV infection, genital warts, smoking, and many sexual partners.[1][3] Most vulvar cancers are squamous cell cancers.[4] Other types include adenocarcinoma, melanoma, sarcoma, and basal cell carcinoma.[3] Diagnosis is suspected based on physical examination and confirmed by tissue biopsy.[1] Routine screening is not recommended.[3]

Prevention may include HPV vaccination.[5] Standard treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biologic therapy.[1] Vulvar cancer newly affected about 44,200 people and resulted in 15,200 deaths globally in 2018.[6] In the United States, it newly occurred in about 6,070 people with 1,280 deaths a year.[2] Onset is typically after the age of 45.[2] The five-year survival rate for vulvar cancer is around 71% as of 2015.[2] Outcomes, however, are affected by whether spread has occurred to lymph nodes.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Vulvar Cancer Treatment". National Cancer Institute. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Cancer of the Vulva—Cancer Stat Facts". SEER. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sam A, George J, Mathew B (April 2019). "Less Common Gynecologic Malignancies: An Integrative Review". Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 35 (2): 175–181. doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2019.02.004. PMID 30867101. S2CID 76665631.
  4. ^ a b c "Vulvar Cancer Treatment". National Cancer Institute. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  5. ^ a b Signorelli C, Odone A, Ciorba V, Cella P, Audisio RA, Lombardi A, et al. (July 2017). "Human papillomavirus 9-valent vaccine for cancer prevention: a systematic review of the available evidence". Epidemiology and Infection. 145 (10): 1962–1982. doi:10.1017/S0950268817000747. PMC 5974698. PMID 28446260.
  6. ^ a b c "Cancer today". IARC. Retrieved 30 May 2019.