Vulvar Cancer
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Vulvar cancer is the least common of the gynae cancers, typically affecting women close to 68 years old. Women ages of 55+ years old make up over 78% of vulvar cancer cases in the United States, and luckily the majority of these cases are caught in the early stages of the cancer with means that these women are more likely to beat vulvar cancer.
In fact, after 5 years of being diagnosed, 72.1% of women had survived.
What are the types?
Similar to vaginal cancer, the most common type of vulvar cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma which makes up 75% of vulvar cancer cases.
Therefore, most of the statistics on vulvar cancer will be refering to squamous cell carcinoma.
Other types include melanoma, basal cell, Bartholin gland adenocarcinoma, sarcoma and Paget disease.
Among the squamous cell carcinoma's there are two subtypes.
- The type that is more common and usually found in older patients is not connected to HPV but can be connected to thing called vulvar dystrophies.
- The other type, or Bowenoid type, which is more likely to present warts is directly associated to HPV and is found in younger patients.
How can I check for it?
Vulvar cancer can appear as cuts, bumps, or wart like growths around the vulvar region which includes the areas of a woman's vagina that can be seen from the outside i.e. labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, perineum, and mons.
Diagnosis & Treatment
To diagnose vulvar cancer a normal pelvic exam will be done as well as a biopsy and scans of the vulva to check if it is cancerous and if it has spread.
However it is important to note that there are many other infections and disorders of the vaginal region that can look similar to vulvar cancer including cysts, warts, troubles or disorders with pelvic glands, and so on.
Talk to me.
Vulvar cancer is the least common of the gynae cancers, typically affecting women close to 68 years old. Women ages of 55+ years old make up over 78% of vulvar cancer cases in the United States, and luckily the majority of these cases are caught in the early stages of the cancer with means that these women are more likely to beat vulvar cancer.
In fact, after 5 years of being diagnosed, 72.1% of women had survived.
What are the types?
Similar to vaginal cancer, the most common type of vulvar cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma which makes up 75% of vulvar cancer cases.
Therefore, most of the statistics on vulvar cancer will be refering to squamous cell carcinoma.
Other types include melanoma, basal cell, Bartholin gland adenocarcinoma, sarcoma and Paget disease.
Among the squamous cell carcinoma's there are two subtypes.
- The type that is more common and usually found in older patients is not connected to HPV but can be connected to thing called vulvar dystrophies.
- The other type, or Bowenoid type, which is more likely to present warts is directly associated to HPV and is found in younger patients.
How can I check for it?
Vulvar cancer can appear as cuts, bumps, or wart like growths around the vulvar region which includes the areas of a woman's vagina that can be seen from the outside i.e. labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, perineum, and mons.
Diagnosis & Treatment
To diagnose vulvar cancer a normal pelvic exam will be done as well as a biopsy and scans of the vulva to check if it is cancerous and if it has spread.
However it is important to note that there are many other infections and disorders of the vaginal region that can look similar to vulvar cancer including cysts, warts, troubles or disorders with pelvic glands, and so on.
Symptom list:
Vulvar Cancer
Financial support
Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.
p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.
Emotional support
Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!
