Vulva is the soft skin tissue that surrounds the area of vagina and urethra, including clitoris. In other words vulva is he skin that engulfs the female genitals. Sometimes, there may be sores or bumps on the vulva causing itching which can be due to vulvar cancer. It can occur at any age but common in old aged women. Vulvar cancer can be treated and removed by surgery.
Vulvar Cancer Symptoms :
Some of the common signs of vulvar cancer are persistent itching on the vagina and its surrounding tissue, pain, occasional bleeding (not due to monthly periods), formation of painful lumps or sores in that region. For some women, the skin color would get darkened due to cancerous growth.
Causes of Vulvar Cancer :
Exact reason of vulvar cancer is not known. But it is believed to be caused by defective gene mutation when old cells do not give way for newer ones thus forming tumor like cells. The cancer would begin as flat thin cells affecting the lining of the vulva which can be squamous cells carcinoma. Sometimes cancer can develop in the skin that produces pigment cells which is known as vulvar melanoma.
Risk Factors :