What is this pathology? Is it dangerous and treatable? These are common questions. We will examine them in more detail in this article. Vulvar cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs externally on the skin and genital mucosa. Annually, experts identify more than four thousand patients who are sick with this pathology. The onset of death during the year, even despite the assistance provided, is observed in every fifth patient. Such a high mortality rate is associated with the fact that patients do not consult specialists for a long time. The consequences of this attitude to health, unfortunately, are disappointing. As a result, people's indifference leads to the fact that the initially operable form of the disease is incurable.
General information
The incidence of vulvar cancer in our country is approximately five percent. Epidemiology demonstrates that the prevalence of the disease in developing countries is higher compared to the rest of the world. As for Asians, their incidence rate does not exceed one and a half percent.
At risk are often elderly people who are over sixty-five years old, since it is at this age that the hormonal background in women undergoes significant changes. Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva can rarely develop in adolescents or fertile women. If we take into account the age of patients, it can be assumed that malignancy appears against the background of degenerative degeneration caused by aging. For various reasons, older people turn to gynecologists much less often, which leads to neglect of pathology.
For surrounding people, vulvar cancer (a photo with the image of the affected areas is presented in the article) is not contagious. It is impossible to infect them with the airborne method, but there are some infectious pathologies that contribute to its formation, for example, human papillomavirus or AIDS.
Types of cancer
The following varieties of vulvar cancer are distinguished, which are based on its histological structure, and in addition, the focus of growth and other features. Thus, the cytological picture allows us to distinguish the following types of this disease:
- Squamous cell form.
- Basal cell variety.
- The presence of melanoma.
- The development of Paget's disease.
- The appearance of adenocarcinoma.
- The appearance of carcinoma of the Bartholin gland.
Squamous cell carcinoma today makes up about eighty percent of all cases, and the remaining species are much less common. Exophytic and endophytic forms are distinguished by the criterion of the direction of germination of pathology. The international classification shows the prevalence of this process, and it takes into account:
- The size of the primary tumor.
- The degree of damage to the lymph nodes.
- The presence of metastases.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
In the early stages of vulvar cancer, there may be no apparent complaints from patients. Sometimes the harbingers of the development of such a pathology are leukoplakia along with kraurosis and sclerosing lichen. Often the first stage of the disease is asymptomatic.
The initial symptom of vulvar cancer is a sensation of itching with discomfort or burning in the genital tract. Pain, as a rule, appears later. Outwardly, the first changes without examination can be difficult to detect, but sometimes you can see that a lump appeared in the inguinal region in the form of an enlarged lymph node that does not hurt.
The primary visible manifestations are spots on the mucosa, which are easy to detect: it’s enough just to carefully examine the vulva. Unfortunately, this is done too late. Such spots have a whitish-grayish tint. Similar symptoms are observed against the background of leukoplakia.
The characteristic signs of vulvar cancer with exophytic growth are the appearance of inflammation, ulceration, and in addition, purulent, spotting, which indicate that the decay of the cancer has begun. Endophytic germination is characterized by swelling along with seals and infiltrate. Later manifestations include weakness, fatigue and a low temperature. At the terminal stage, the symptoms progress quickly, which is usually expressed by severe exhaustion. Rapid weight loss and a weak filling pulse with shortness of breath at the slightest exertion can also be observed. As a result, death most often occurs.
You can see the symptoms of vulvar cancer in the photo presented in the article.
Main reasons
The etiology with the main causes of this pathology has not yet been fully studied to date. True, in fifty percent of patients on the body detect papillomatosis. Its causative agent is the papilloma virus. It can be transmitted by contact or domestic means. There are strains that cause the formation of warts and genital warts with a high degree of oncogenicity. Often this pathology begins with the appearance of papillomatous growth. Penetrating into the epithelium, the virus changes the structure of human DNA, which can cause dysplasia with accelerated division. The urgency of this problem lies in the fact that if vulvar cancer was detected in a young woman, then the papilloma virus is also detected with an eighty percent probability. Today they infected more than ninety percent of the total population of the Earth.
Often, vulvar cancer can be inherited. Hereditary predisposition is noted in thirty percent of cases. This is the so-called intraepithelial neoplasia. The gene that provokes it has not yet been identified. Psychosomatics explains that malignant tumors are formed due to mental experiences, which are often unconscious. They can also occur due to lack of attention or love. Thus, according to some teachings, hatred with resentment, anger and envy of other people can cause cancer processes.
Stages of vulvar cancer
In the treatment of this disease, the prevalence of the neoplasm is of primary importance. The following stages are distinguished:
- Zero pathology is characterized by lesions of only the epithelium.
- In the first stage, the size of the tumor does not exceed two centimeters and does not extend beyond the vulva itself.
- In the second stage, the size of the tumor already begins to exceed two centimeters.
- The third stage is characterized by the germination of a tumor in neighboring tissues, for example, in the area of the vagina or anus, among other things, the one-sided nature of the damage to the lymph nodes is observed.
- In the fourth stage, the tumor can grow into other organs, and in addition, the bones. In this case, lymph nodes affected by metastases on both sides can be noted.
At an early stage, with timely treatment, the survival rate of patients is ninety-eight percent. It should be noted that the neoplasm can spread throughout the body in a few months. Often, doctors find distant metastases in the lung area. Unfortunately, the last stage is almost not subject to any treatment, in this case, the forces of doctors are directed only to alleviate the condition of the ill patient.
How to identify symptoms of vulvar cancer?
Diagnosis
By collecting an anamnesis, as well as interviewing a patient, the general dynamics of pathological processes are determined along with the course of the disease and the benign nature of the formation. In the event that there is a suspicion of vulvar cancer, an examination that is carried out to clarify the diagnosis will include the following procedures:
- Gynecological examination, which reports external changes.
- Palpation with the definition of enlarged inguinal, and in addition, femoral lymph nodes.
- Perform colposcopy in order to determine the germination of the tumor.
- Conducting vulvoscopy, which helps check mutated cells for dysplasia.
- Performing smear cytology along with a PAP test or checking for the presence of cancer cells with a description of their structure.
- Biopsy and histological examination.
- Ultrasound examination of the pelvis, and in addition, lymph nodes, which allows the detection of metastases.
When vulvar cancer begins to metastasize to neighboring areas, the diagnosis consists of the following procedures:
- Carrying out a digital rectal check.
- Performing x-rays of the lungs.
- Performing urethroscopy.
- Carrying out computer and magnetic resonance imaging, which, in turn, allows the detection of distant metastases.
The conclusion with the prognosis of the disease directly depends on the combination of symptoms and data from a clinical study. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the duration of the pathology along with the general health of the patient.
How is vulvar cancer treated?
Disease treatment
The disease is an extremely dangerous but treatable disease, however, provided that it is detected at an early stage. If pathology is not treated, then it will be fatal. It should be noted that death with neglect of such a disease can occur within a year.
A chance to survive, and in addition, to stop the active development of carcinoma exists if a person does not start an ailment, and consult a doctor to receive appropriate medical care. In no case should you try to get rid of the disease yourself by taking painkillers, or look for effective remedies in the recipes that are offered by traditional medicine. In such a situation, only competent medical assistance from qualified specialists should be provided. Treatment for vulvar cancer should be comprehensive.
Modern developments in such areas as gynecology, surgery and oncology help to cure and defeat pathology. The tactics of treatment is combination therapy, which will help slow down the rate of cancer development, allowing the body to recover, and in addition, prolong life. So, treatment includes the following aspects:
- Performing surgical removal of the lesion and metastasis.
- Conducting chemotherapy using cytostatics.
- Conducting radiation therapy.
- Taking painkillers.
Recovery of patients occurs immediately after surgery for vulvar cancer, in which an organ with regional lymph nodes is removed. Sometimes it is only about clinical remission. Relapses after surgery are usually found in seven percent of cases. The term of their appearance can not be predicted, but sometimes doctors have to operate on patients again.
Launched, and at the same time inoperable, cancer still requires palliative therapy. Radiation therapy is usually prescribed, and directly the actions that are taken by oncologists are aimed at alleviating the suffering of a sick person. Chemotherapy for vulvar cancer is also performed.
Possible complications
Treatment of this pathology, which includes radiation with chemotherapy, can cause various side effects along with a deterioration in the quality of life of patients. For example, due to the removal of the genital organs, leg swelling can occur with inflammation and divergence of postoperative sutures, as well as with fluid accumulation in the area of the affected area.
Negative operational consequences can occur when nerves are damaged. Patients may experience numbness with tingling in the damaged area of the skin. In addition, the seam may not heal well. As part of the prophylaxis, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with a balm called “Vinylin”. Sea buckthorn oil is also suitable. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for vulvar cancer can cause various complications, which include the following manifestations:
- Decrease in the body's immune forces.
- The development of anemia.
- Significant hair loss.
- The appearance of disorders in the intestines.
- Observation of narrowing of the vagina.
- A burning sensation during urination.
- The appearance of general weakness, irritability, apathy and feelings of anxiety.
All the postoperative time of the patient needs special attention in relation to herself, and besides, care from the clinical staff and, of course, close people.
In the later stages of vulvar cancer (photos can be easily found), sick people may experience severe physical discomfort. In this regard, the question of how to relieve pain is the most relevant. At some point, the use of non-narcotic analgesics no longer brings relief. Strongly prescribed drugs, for example, such as “Buprenorphine” or “Morphine,” are strictly prescribed according to the doctor’s prescription.
Pain medications can cause some dependence with some side effects, such as blurred consciousness, dizziness, nausea, decreased blood pressure, dry mouth, and a strong feeling of thirst.
What does vulvar cancer look like, not everyone knows.
How realistic is it to get pregnant after a pathology?
This issue is still not well understood, since this disease rarely occurs in women of reproductive age. This pathology is more so-called "senile" disease.
Nevertheless, most doctors believe that pregnancy can be planned only after completing the full course of complex therapy, and, in addition, after the rehabilitation period. As such, the recovery period is quite long and ranges from three to five years. Before planning a pregnancy, women should undergo a full examination, first of all, with a gynecologist, as well as an oncologist with a geneticist. This is required in order to detect hidden factors that can harm the child or provoke a relapse of the pathology.
In rare cases, this pathology can be diagnosed during pregnancy. In such situations, you can not refuse to perform chemotherapy. This method of treatment does not have any negative effect on the subsequent development of the fetus.
Preventative measures
How can this serious disease be prevented and controlled? Prevention of cancer helps to avoid exposure to harmful factors, protecting themselves from them. In order to prevent the appearance of vulvar cancer, doctors recommend eliminating or at least reducing the effect of dangerous factors, and in addition, treating concomitant pathologies on time. First of all, you need to quit smoking, get rid of excess weight, avoid getting all kinds of carcinogens into the body. In addition, hormone levels and vascular problems cannot be tolerated. Here are some suggestions that help prevent vulvar cancer:
- Providing the body with full sleep.
- Healthy lifestyle and normal daily routine.
- Proper nutrition along with regular preventive examinations.
This disease should be treated at its initial stage. So get rid of it will be easier and much more effective. In this regard, every woman after fifty years should visit a gynecologist twice a year.
What is the prognosis for vulvar cancer?
Life expectancy and prognosis
Survival of operable patients who do not have a lesion of the lymph nodes, usually up to ninety percent. In the event that lymph nodes were involved in the pathological process, then survival is reduced to fifty percent.
Vulvar Cancer Reviews
Most often, reviews about the treatment of this pathology are left to the daughters of sick mothers who had to face cancer. Like any other cancer, this form is successfully treated only at the initial stage, immediately after the operation, as reported in the comments. After treatment, women can develop various complications in the form of anemia, hair loss, a feeling of weakness and fatigue.
In our country, about five percent of women suffer from vulvar cancer. In this regard, it is extremely important to be regularly examined by a gynecologist in order to avoid the development of such a dangerous pathology. In addition, do not neglect proper nutrition, healthy lifestyles and normal sleep patterns. A woman is obliged to take care of her health not only in her youth, but throughout her life.