Vulvar Cancer: Q&A
1. What are the early symptoms of vulvar cancer?
Early signs of vulvar cancer include persistent vulvar itching and localized skin discoloration (whitening or reddening).Lumps, ulcers, or wart-like growths may appear.Pain, bleeding, and abnormal discharge may also occur.
2. What causes vulvar cancer?
HPV infection is associated with vulvar cancer in younger patients, whereas in elderly patients, it is often linked to chronic conditions such as lichen sclerosus.Smoking increases the risk of developing the disease.
3. What are the surgical treatment options for vulvar cancer?
Wide local excision is suitable for small, early-stage tumors, involving the removal of the tumor along with 1–2 cm of surrounding normal tissue.Standard vulvectomy is used for larger or diffuse lesions.
4. What is minimally invasive treatment for vulvar cancer?
Sentinel lymph node biopsy replaces comprehensive lymph node dissection, reducing postoperative lymphedema.A tracer is injected around the tumor to locate the sentinel lymph node;comprehensive dissection is avoided if the result is negative.
5. Why does lower-limb edema occur after vulvar cancer surgery?
Inguinal lymph node dissection disrupts lymphatic drainage, leading to lymphedema of the lower limbs.Sentinel lymph node procedures can significantly reduce the incidence of this complication.Wearing compression stockings postoperatively helps promote lymphatic drainage.
6. Why is radiotherapy needed after surgery for vulvar cancer?
Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy is indicated in cases of positive surgical margins, lymph node metastasis, or tumors larger than 4 cm in diameter.Radiotherapy reduces the rate of local recurrence.Preoperative chemoradiotherapy can shrink the tumor, facilitating surgery.
7. Care after vulvar cancer treatment
Keep the surgical wound clean and dry post-operatively and change dressings regularly.Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear to minimize friction.Protect the skin in the irradiated area during radiotherapy.Take measures to prevent lymphedema in the lower limbs.
