women s health issues
Vulvar Cancer
Diagnosis of Vulvar Cancer
Biopsy Doctors diagnose vulvar cancer by taking a sample of the abnormal skin and examining it (biopsy). The biopsy enables doctors to determine whether the abnormal skin is cancerous or just infected or irritated. The type of cancer, if present, can also be identified, helping doctors develop a treatment plan. If the skin abnormalities are not well-defined, doctors apply stains to the abnormal area to help determine where to take a sample of tissue for a biopsy. Alternatively, they may use an instrument with a binocular magnifying lens ( Colposcopy ) to examine the surface of the vulva—a procedure called colposcopy. Doctors stage vulvar cancer based on how large it is, where it is, and whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes, which is determined during surgery to remove the cancer. Stages range from I (the earliest) to IV (advanced). Stage I: The cancer is confined to the vulva. Stage II: The cancer has spread to nearby tissues (the lower part of the urethra and/or vagina or to the anus) but not to nearby lymph nodes. Stage III: The cancer has spread to the upper part of nearby structures or the lymph nodes. Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant sites (for example, outside the pelvis) or lymph nodes in the groin, forming sores or becoming stuck together or attached to bone. 