Vulvar cancer is a rare malignancy that represents only about 3% to 5% of female reproductive cancers. The vulva, the area at the end of and outside the vagina, is composed of inner and outer skin folds and, at the front of the vagina, a small hood of skin called the prepuce. Beneath it lies the clitoris. Vulvar cancer most often affects the inner edges of the skin folds. Less often, it occurs on the clitoris or in Bartholin glands on either side of the vaginal opening.
Types of Vulvar Cancer
Over 90% of vulvar cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which form slowly over many years. They may be preceded by pre-cancerous changes called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), which is also called dysplasia. Because it is possible for VIN or dysplasia to develop into vulvar cancer, treatment of this condition is very important.
Additional types of vulvar cancers include:
- Melanoma, representing about 2% to 4%
- Adenocarcinomas, which develop from glands. Paget disease of the vulva, in which abnormal cells are found in the vulvar skin, can be a precancerous condition that develops into adenocarcinoma.
- Sarcomas, tumors of connective tissues under the skin. Less than 2% of vulvar cancers, these tend to grow rapidly.
- Verrucous carcinoma, which resembles a large wart
- Basal cell carcinoma, a very rare type of vulvar cancer
If you suspect you may have vulvar cancer or have already been diagnosed, UCSD’s gynecologic oncologists have the experience and advanced training necessary to determine the exact type and extent of the disease. Working with radiation oncologists, pathologists and other specialists, these physicians will development a treatment plan specific to your needs.
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