Question 1

what is vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

Cancer: Vulvar cancer is a rare type of cancer. It forms in a woman's external genitals, called the vulva. The cancer usually develops slowly over several years, call your doctor if you are noticing a lump , rash and itching or having abnormal bleeding.

Question 2

who gets vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

Postmenopausal women: This cancer is fortunately relatively rare representing only 5% of gynecological cancers, occuring in post-menopausal women around 65 years old or so.  It is becoming more common in women that in their 50's however.  It is linked to human papilloma virus, the same one that causes cervical cancer.  See your doctor if you have any abnormalities of the skin of the vulva.

Question 3

how is vulvar cancer staged?

Accepted Answer

Stages I - IV: Stage i vulvar cancer is limited to only the vulva. Stage ii means the cancer has invaded surrounding structures (like the anus). Stage iii indicates spread to the lymph nodes. Stage IV is when the cancer has spread (metastasized) to distant parts of the body.

Question 4

how is vulvar cancer diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

By biopsy: If the physical exam of a troublesome area is suggestive, a biopsy of that skin area is used to make the diagnosis.

Question 5

what are the tests for vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

Physical and biopsy: Vulva can be observed directly for any suspicious lesions. If there are any, those can be biopsied for examination by a pathologist.  Hpv infection is implicated in vulvar cancer like in cervical cancer.

Question 6

can you have vulvar cancer as a teen?

Accepted Answer

No: The Vulvar cancer is very unusual in teenager.

Question 7

what are the symptoms for vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

Usually a lesion: Most commonly patients present with a single vulvar lesion (nodular or warty) on the labia majora.  Sometimes the lesion can be itchy.  Less commonly there may be bleeding, discharge, pain with urination, or an enlarged lymph node.

Question 8

do you know the color for vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

None specifically: Many cancers have associated 'awareness' colors.  A common exapmle is pink ribbons worn to support breast cancer patients and breast cancer research.  To my knowledge, there are no specific 'support' colors for vulvar cancer.  I think that the awareness colors for cervical cancer (as close to vulvar cancer as i can find) are teal ; white.  You could wear teal ; white to support vulvar cancer too!

Question 9

can you tell me the symptoms of vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

A couple common ones: Most women present with a single raised area or mass on the labia majora.  
The labia minora, perineum, and clitoris are less frequently involved.  
Itching is also a common complaint.  Bleeding, discharge, pain with urination, and/or an enlarged lymph node in the groin are less frequent but also possible presenting symptoms.

Question 10

can teenagers at the age of 14 get vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: This is a disease of senescence.  But teenagers can acquire the papilloma virus which might eventually be associated with vulvar cancer.

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