Does vulvar cancer spread quickly if not treated with chemotherapy?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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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.

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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 Yan Chun
Oncology
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Is conservative treatment or surgery better for vulvar cancer?

Vulvar cancer is a malignant tumor in female gynecology. There are various treatment options for patients with vulvar cancer. The choice between surgical treatment and conservative treatment depends on multiple factors such as the patient's clinical stage and physical condition. For patients with early-stage vulvar cancer, radical surgical excision is the best treatment method. However, some patients with poor physical condition may not tolerate surgery and may instead receive curative radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy as an alternative treatment. For patients with mid-to-late stage vulvar cancer, the best treatment method is comprehensive internal medicine treatments, such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy. For patients with advanced vulvar cancer who have a poor physical condition and cannot tolerate chemotherapy or other antitumor treatments, the best treatment method is conservative treatment aimed at maintaining stable vital signs.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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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.

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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 Yan Chun
Oncology
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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.