What will happen when vulvar cancer becomes severe?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Vulvar cancer is a malignant tumor of the female reproductive system. When vulvar cancer becomes severe, the lesions metastasize to many areas, which can cause serious clinical symptoms, severely affect the patient's quality of life, and even endanger the patient's life. For example, if vulvar cancer metastasizes to the inguinal lymph nodes, pain can occur in the area of the metastases. Additionally, mobility of the limb on the side of the metastases is limited, and swelling of the lower limb occurs. If the patient's lesions metastasize to the lungs through the hematogenous route, clinically the patient may experience coughing, expectoration, chest tightness, chest pain, and even some patients may have respiratory failure, which severely threatens their life. Some patients have bone metastases, and besides pain in the area of the bone metastases, some patients also experience pathological fractures, limited mobility, and significant pain.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Can vulvar cancer be detected through an HPV test?

Vulvar cancer cannot be detected through an HPV test, as the HPV test is a virological examination specifically designed to determine the presence of the human papillomavirus infection, but it cannot confirm the existence of vulvar cancer. Clinically, examinations for vulvar cancer primarily include a detailed physical examination to ascertain the presence of lumps, ulcers, or lesions on the vulva. Additionally, vulvar ultrasound, CT, or MRI can be performed to understand the extent of vulvar cancer invasion. A pathological examination of vulvar cancer can also be conducted to diagnose the disease.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
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Can vulvar cancer be cured by radiotherapy?

Vulvar cancer is a relatively malignant tumor. If a patient is diagnosed with vulvar cancer, they should first undergo a medical examination to check if the cancer has metastasized distantly. If the condition is just localized inflammation, it is recommended that the patient undergo surgical treatment followed by radiotherapy, as this is a very serious condition. Surgery itself can cause harm to the patient’s body, but due to the severity of the condition, it is necessary to focus on the main conflict and take corresponding rescue measures. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can only play a certain supplementary and auxiliary role after surgery, potentially reducing the size of some tumors to a certain extent, minimizing surgical trauma and postoperative recurrence. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also effective for patients who are unable to undergo surgery or who cannot receive surgical treatment. If diagnosed with vulvar cancer, it is advised to visit a standard hospital for examination and follow the doctor’s guidance for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
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Late-stage vulvar cancer can spread to where?

Patients with vulvar cancer generally have lymphatic metastasis because there are many lymphatic vessels in the perineum, and the capillaries of the lymphatic system are interconnected. Thus, vulvar cancer can lead to bilateral lymphatic vessel spread. Initially, it leads to superficial inguinal lymph nodes, then it spreads to the bone lymph nodes below the groin, and eventually progresses to the lymph nodes alongside the aorta and the lymph nodes below the left clavicle. If the cancer is located in the clitoris, it may bypass the superficial inguinal lymph nodes and directly spread to the lymph nodes inside the pelvis. The tumor in the vulvar area will gradually increase in size; it generally does not invade the muscle fascia or adjacent structures. If the vagina is invaded, it can easily and immediately involve the levator ani muscles, rectum, urethral opening, and bladder, among others.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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Can vulvar cancer be detected by B-ultrasound?

Vulvar cancer, due to its superficial location, does not require an ultrasound for detection. Vulvar cancer is a malignant tumor of the vulva, with primary squamous epithelium being the most common type. The main clinical manifestations are vulvar nodules, often accompanied by pain and significant itching. Local necrosis or infection can occur, and the lesions of vulvar cancer can be directly observed with the naked eye. However, ultrasound examination is also widely used in vulvar cancer, not for detecting the cancer itself, but for examining whether there is enlargement of the lymph nodes in the groin, abdomen, and pelvic regions, suspecting invasion by cancer cells.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Is the vulvar cancer nodule soft or hard?

Vulvar cancer clinically forms nodular lesions that are generally hard in texture with poor mobility and tend to adhere to surrounding tissues, and have indistinct borders. Due to the rapid growth of the nodules, their shape is usually irregular, easily forming granulomatous or cauliflower-like appearances, and they are prone to contact bleeding. Patients with vulvar cancer typically have nodular lesions that are likely to invade surrounding tissues or metastasize to lymph nodes. The chances of distant metastasis to the lungs, liver, bones, or brain are relatively lower. Clinically, it is common to see enlarged inguinal lymph nodes and pain caused by metastatic foci. Some patients may also experience local skin metastasis, subcutaneous nodules, or skin itching as clinical manifestations. For the treatment of vulvar cancer, radical surgery is primarily recommended, with radiation therapy and chemotherapy also being effective options.