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

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 3

what are the causes of vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly clear: The risk factors for vulvar cancer include cigarette smoking, vulvar dystrophy (eg lichen sclerosus), vulvar or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, human papillomavirus (hpv) infection, immunodeficiency syndroms, a prior history of cervical cancer, and northern european ancestry.

Question 4

what are the causes and risk factors for vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

HPV: The hpv family of viruses encompasses over 100 different strains responsible for cervical cancer, genital warts and vulvar/vaginal cancer.  Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, early age of first intercourse, history of abnormal pap smear, history of rectal cancer or hiv. Also, taking chronic meds like steroids or immune modulating meds for auto-immune diseases can increase the risk.

Question 5

how could i prevent vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

Vulvar cancer: Vulvar cancer in many, if not most, women is caused by the hpv viruses. Any behavior leading to increased exposure to the viruses (such as multiple sexual partners) can increase the risk, although the overall risk is quite low. Diseases or drugs that suppress the immune system also increase the risk, as does smoking. It has not been directly studied, but the hpv vaccine may decrease the risk.

Question 6

has anyone had surgery with complete recovery for vulvar cancer?

Accepted Answer

Early cancer is : Curable.  Patients with lesions less than 2.0 cm have a 60-80% five year survival.  Smaller lesions have better outcomes.

Question 7

how treatable is vulvar cancer? is vulvar cancer one of those cancers that is extremely treatable?

Accepted Answer

Vulvar cancer: Highly treatable. Usually a surgery like radical vulvectomy and chemotherapy and radiation therapy all modalities are employed in its treatment.

Question 8

is vulvar cancer treated with chemotherapy? how often is vulvar cancer treated with chemotherapy if it is caught in its early stages?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Early stage vulvar cancer is usually treated with surgery first or rarely radiation therapy for those who are not able to undergo surgery.  Sometimes radiation therapy is needed after surgery.  Some stage iii and IV tumors are treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation together instead of surgery.  Chemotherapy alone would usually only be used if the cancer has spread widely.

Question 9

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 10

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.

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What are the causes and risk factors for vulvar cancer?

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How could i prevent vulvar cancer?

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Has anyone had surgery with complete recovery for vulvar cancer?

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How treatable is vulvar cancer? is vulvar cancer one of those cancers that is extremely treatable?

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Is vulvar cancer treated with chemotherapy? how often is vulvar cancer treated with chemotherapy if it is caught in its early stages?

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Who gets vulvar cancer?

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How is vulvar cancer diagnosed?

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