Physical and Pelvic Examination:

The doctor examines the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and vagina to find out any kind of irregularity or abnormality. He may take the Pap smear to pinpoint the abnormal growth area. He may look into the patient’s vagina and cervix via a speculum.

Medical and Family History:

The doctor also ask about the patient’s past illness , medication and surgeries as through this information he try to get the complete idea about the patient’s heath and this also help  the doctor to know more about the causes of Vulva cancer.

The patient should inform the doctor about her family history. In case the patient’s siblings like her mother, daughter etc had undergone this cancer then the chances of its presence in the woman increase.

Biopsy

In this test a small sample of tissue is taken from the suspected area so that a pathologist comes to know the presence of vulva cancer. The pathologist examined the sample under microscope so that he get an idea whether cancerous cells affected the patient’s cervix or vagina.

Cystoscopy :

This test is performed to check the inside surface of bladder and for this purpose a lighted tube is used by the doctor. This test is done using a local anesthetic.

Proctoscopy

Protoscopy includes the visual inspection of the rectum with the help of a lighted tube. In case of Advanced vulva cancer, the cancer cells are spread to other areas like  in rectum that’s why the doctor may go for this test. The doctor also biopsied the suspected cancerous growth area during this test.

Imaging test:

Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan:

The CT scan of Chest and Abdomen helps the doctor in determination of exact location and extent of vulva cancer   The three-dimensional inside body are taken with the mean of a computer attached to an x-ray machine. The detail images of inside body area assist the doctor in pinpointing the tumors and abnormalities.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan:

The doctors used this canning method for the creation of images of inside organs and tissues.  In this test, a radioactive substance is injected into the body of patient. this substance absorbs in the organ or tissue and after some time the energy that is give off by the substance is scanned by scanner which produces the images. PET scan is quite effective in pinpointing the cancerous cells affected area therefore now the doctor goes for this scanning process.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):

The images of inside boys are created with the help of magnetic field. It is an advanced method used as an alternative of CAT scan.

Here are some causes and risk factors of Vulva cancer;

The first and foremost cause is chronic pruritus of vulva with dryness, swelling and friction. This condition may increase the risk factor of this cancer .Not only this but chronic Vulvar Granulomatous disease may also lead to appearance and development of vulva cancerous cells in the body of woman and thereby this cancer originates.

A woman who is the patient of diabetes is more likely to be a victim of Vulva cancer than that of a normal woman. The no specific treatment of Pelvis cancer may cause irradiation of the skin of women and this situation turn to be growth of abnormal cell growth. Obesity is also the cause of many problems including vulva cancer.

Sometimes the sexually transmitted diseases such as Herpes Simplex, Condyloma Acuminatun (the cause of which is human papilloma virus) give rise to Vulva cancer in most of women. The pigmented moles may lead to this cancer, when constantly irritated by clothing and perineal pads. Hypertension is also a cause of this dilemma.

The Vulva cancer may originate in any age even it affect an infant and its occurrence also common in the women of 60s. Sqaumous cell cancer is the most common type of vulva cancer.

Typical symptoms include, itching or soreness of the vulva, a lump or wart-like growth or a mole on the vulva that changes shape or colour. These symptoms could be related to another condition so it is advised to check with a doctor before performing a self-diagnosis.

To diagnose the condition a specialist will examine the vulva to look for any abnormalities and examine the entire vagina and even the anus to see if there are any indications that the cancer has spread. A small amount of tissue known as a biopsy will be taken to diagnose the cancer itself and what kind of treatment is needed. A CT scan, blood tests and a chest x-ray maybe used to ensure that the cancer is nowhere else in the body.

Surgery is the most effective most of treatment with many vulva cancers simply being removed; surgery may also be used in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The surgeon will attempt to preserve the condition of the vulva if he or she can do so, the type of surgery will vary depending on the type of cancer that is involved. Radiotherapy maybe used first to shrink the cancer so that surgery is easier to perform, it may also be used to destroy any remaining cancerous cells after the procedure. No matter what state of growth the cancer is in treatment is the best option to either slow or completely remove the cancer.