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Vulvar cancer
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.
Can vulvar cancer be detected by TCT?
The patient's TCT generally cannot detect whether they have vulvar cancer. TCT can also be referred to as liquid-based thin layer cytology, primarily examining the exfoliated cells scraped from the cervix to see if they are malignant. A negative result indicates that there is no cervical cancer. If one wishes to check for vulvar cancer, gynecological examinations can be conducted. These include blood tests for tumor markers, vaginal ultrasound, and vaginal tissue biopsy. Through these tests, any abnormalities in the vulva can be detected. It is advised that patients seek timely examination and treatment based on the disease.
How long does it take for vulvar cancer to progress from early to late stage?
If you have vulvar cancer, and want to know how long it takes to progress from early to late stage, it varies from person to person and cannot precisely be determined. Each individual's constitution is different, so the progression of the disease varies. It is recommended that patients seek medical treatment as soon as they discover they have vulvar cancer, to try to control the growth of the tumor, prevent it from spreading, enhance immune system, and improve physique, thereby aiming to extend survival.
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.
Vulvar cancer lymph node metastasis is stage III.
Vulvar cancer is a type of malignant tumor in the female reproductive system, commonly occurring in postmenopausal elderly women. The disease progresses to involve lymph node metastasis, and its clinical staging is either stage III or stage IV. If the disease spreads to the inguinal lymph nodes with no other site affected, then the clinical stage is considered stage III. If the vulvar cancer metastasizes to the pelvic lymph nodes, or distant locations such as the liver, lungs, or bones, then it is classified as stage IV. For cases of stage III and IV vulvar cancer, the main treatment methods are palliative surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The treatment strategy primarily involves a combination of surgery and radiation therapy along with chemotherapy. For patients with stage III and IV vulvar cancer, the prognosis is generally poor.
Does vulvar cancer spread quickly if not treated with chemotherapy?
Vulvar cancer is a type of malignant tumor in women. For patients in the early stages of vulvar cancer, chemotherapy is generally not required after radical surgery. Even without chemotherapy, the disease progression of early-stage vulvar cancer is relatively slow, and many patients can achieve clinical cure after the radical surgery. However, for patients with mid-to-late stage vulvar cancer, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is generally required after the radical surgery to reduce the chances of disease recurrence and metastasis. Without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, the disease can spread quickly, and many patients soon experience the spread of the disease, eventually leading to multi-organ failure and death. Therefore, it is essential for patients who need adjuvant chemotherapy to complete the supplementary treatment regularly and on time after surgery.
Is vulvar leukoplakia cancer?
First, vulvar lichen sclerosus is not cancerous. Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a general term that can be divided into many types, and the cause of the disease is unknown. The main symptoms include itching, atrophy, and whitening of the vulva. Because of vulvar itching, long-term scratching can lead to local skin thickening, cracking, and a certain risk of cell degeneration and malignancy. When vulvar lichen sclerosus occurs, patients need to visit a hospital for a colposcopy to rule out precancerous lesions. The usual treatment focuses on symptomatic relief, primarily to alleviate itching. If the itching is severe or if the treatment with medication is ineffective, photodynamic therapy can be used, which also has good effects.
What tests are needed to determine the cause of vulvar cancer?
Vulvar cancer is a type of malignant tumor in female gynecology. Clinically, the following examinations can be used to identify the cause of vulvar cancer. First, testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) can be conducted. If the patient is found to be infected with HPV, then the cause of vulvar cancer can be considered to be due to viral infection. Additionally, herpes virus testing can also be performed, as many patients with vulvar cancer are caused by herpes virus infection. Thirdly, cytological examination of the vulva can be conducted to detect if there are any malnutritive lesions, such as vulvar lichen sclerosus, and other diseases like dermatophytosis, which are also reasons for the high incidence of vulvar cancer.
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.
Does vulvar cancer ulceration infect family members?
Vulvar cancer is a malignant tumor of the female reproductive system with a low incidence rate clinically. Many patients with vulvar cancer experience ulcerations in their lesions. Even when ulceration occurs in vulvar cancer lesions, it is not contagious to family members because vulvar cancer is a malignant tumor and does not possess contagiousness. The occurrence of infectious diseases necessarily requires three core elements: a source of infection, a transmission route, and a susceptible population. The formation of an infection without these three elements is impossible. When ulceration occurs in vulvar cancer lesions, it is due to the tumor lesion and is non-contagious; however, it is prone to concurrent infections, causing clinical symptoms such as fever, localized pain, and bleeding, which greatly afflict the patients. In cases of ulceration in vulvar cancer, besides controlling the infection and managing local symptoms, it is also necessary to provide aggressive anti-tumor treatment.