Vulvar Cancer is a ?
Vulvar cancer is a cancer that attacks the outer surface of the female genital area.
Vulva is part of the female external sexual organ which is the area surrounding the urethra opening (urethra opening) and vagina. Other female external sexual organs include the labia minora and majora ("lips" inside and outside that cover the vagina), clitoris, and Bartholin glands present on both sides of the vagina.
Vulvar cancer presents in the form of a lump or wound in the vulva area. This cancer more often attacks older women, who have generally experienced menopause.
There are two types of vulvar cancer based on the type of cells affected. This type of cancer is also useful for doctors to determine the type of treatment step to be taken.
- Vulva melanoma, a cancer cell that forms in the pigment-producing cells found on the vulva skin.
- Vulva squamous cell carcinoma (vulvar squamous cell carcinoma), a cancer cell formed on thin, flat-surface cells that line the surface of the vulva. Most cases of vulvar cancer come from this type.
Some other types, namely:
- Basal cell carcinoma, ie wound on the labia majora or in other areas of the vulva, which develops into cancer long after. If not treated immediately, this wound can easily reappear.
- Bartholin glandular carcinoma, a rare tumor in the Bartholin gland that usually affects women in their mid 60s.
- Other types of cancers of the vulva, such as adenocarcinoma and sarcoma.
Causes of Vulvar Cancer
The cause of cancer in general is still not known clearly, as well as with vulvar cancer. Experts are still finding out the triggers of cells mutating into cancer cells and growing so fast. Cells that divide will continue to grow by doubling the number to form a tumor, then spread to other body parts. Cancer cells and tumors will continue to grow and divide while healthy cells die.
Although not yet known the cause, the following factors are conditions that can increase the incidence of vulvar cancer, namely:
- Smoke.
- Growing age. The risk of vulvar cancer generally increases at age 65 and older and those in menopause. This case is rarely encountered in women under 50 who have not experienced menopause.
- Exposure to HPV infection (human papillomavirus), one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in sexually active women. Generally HPV infection can subside by itself. In some other cases of this disease, infected cells can mutate and develop into cancer cells.
- Infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) that weakens the immune system and makes people vulnerable to HPV infection.
- Suffering from skin disorders in the vulva area, eg Lichen Sclerosus disease.
- Once in a precancerous condition of the vulva, or vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), which can develop into vulvar cancer. VIN is a condition when the cell undergoes a change that does not lead to cancer. Although in most cases that ever happened, this condition can disappear by itself, but in fact can also develop into cancer cells.
Symptoms of Vulva Cancer
- Vulvar cancer can cause very disturbing itching in the vulva area. Here are other symptoms of vulvar cancer.
- Bleeding is not from menstruation.
- Changes in skin conditions, such as skin color and thickness. The skin can be red, white, or dark.
- There is a mole in the vulva area that changes shape or color.
- Lumps that resemble acne, ulcers, or open sores.
- Pain or sensitive to pain in the pelvic area, especially when having sex.
- Feels sore, especially when urinating.
As many as 50 percent of cases of vulvar cancer attack the labia majora ("lips" outside of the female genitals), followed by the labia minor ("lips" inside). Immediately see a doctor if you feel the symptoms as above.