Vulvar cancer overview
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]
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Overview
Vulvar cancer accounts for about 5% of cancers of the female genital system in the United States. The vulva is the area immediately external to the vagina, including the mons pubis, labia, clitoris, Bartholin glands, and perineum. The labia majora are the most common site of vulvar carcinoma involvement and account for about 50% of cases. The labia minora account for 15% to 20% of vulvar carcinoma cases. The clitoris and Bartholin glands are less frequently involved. Lesions are multifocal in about 5% of cases. About 90% of vulvar carcinomas are squamous cell cancers. The vulvar intraepithelial neoplasias (VIN), may be precursors to invasive squamous cell cancers.[1]
Classification
Vulvar cancer may be classified according to histology into 3 groups: vulvar carcinoma, vulvar sarcoma and vulvar malignant melanoma.[2]
Pathophysiology
Development of vulvar cancer is the result of multiple genetic mutations.
Causes
Vulvar cancer may be caused by either HPV infection, or vulvar dermatoses.
Differential Diagnosis
Vulvar cancer must be differentiated from other neoplastic vulvar lesions, non neoplastic vulvar lesions and infectious disease lesions of vulva.
Epidemiology and Demographics
In 2012, the incidence of vulvar cancer was estimated to be 2.4 per 100,000 females in the United States. The incidence of vulvar cancer increases with age, the median age at diagnosis is 68 years and it is more prevalent in the white race.[3]
References
- ↑ General Information About Vulvar Cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/types/vulvar/hp/vulvar-treatment-pdq Accessed on october 1, 2015
- ↑ Hoffman, Barbara (2012). Williams gynecology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN 9780071716727.
- ↑ SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Vulvar Cancer. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/vulva.html Accessed on September 21, 2015