What Are the Most Common Pathological Types of Vulvar Cancer?

The most common pathological type of vulvar cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for the vast majority of vulvar cancer cases. Other, less common pathological types include adenocarcinoma, melanoma, sarcoma, and others.

Treatment is mainly based on the pathological type and stage of the disease, with surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy being the primary means.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common pathological type of vulvar cancer, accounting for about 80%-90% of all cases. The main causes include chronic vulvar inflammation, viral infections such as HPV, and immune dysfunction. Early squamous cell carcinoma presents as local hard masses, ulcers, or abnormal changes, which are easy to overlook. Treatment is primarily surgical, such as local excision or radical vulvectomy; for some patients with severe conditions or limited surgical efficacy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be combined to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Adenocarcinoma is a less common type of vulvar cancer, mostly originating from sweat glands or other glands in the vulvar area. Its causes may be related to abnormal hormone levels, long-term vulvar irritation, or tumor syndromes. The treatment of adenocarcinoma is usually based on tumor stage and location, with surgical excision of the vulva and combined radiotherapy or chemotherapy to control disease spread.

Vulvar melanoma is a specific pathological type of vulvar cancer caused mainly by malignant proliferation of pigment cells. It mainly presents as small masses or plaques with abnormal color changes, often mistaken for pigment deposition, and it grows rapidly with a high risk of metastasis. Surgical excision is the primary treatment, and some patients may require targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Other rarer types include sarcomas and Bechterew's disease, which typically have a higher degree of malignancy. Due to their concealed onset and varying symptoms, specific treatment plans need to be individually designed and may include surgical procedures, comprehensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as personalized targeted therapy. Early symptoms of vulvar cancer are often inconspicuous and may be overlooked due to itching, skin damage, ulcers, etc. Once vulvar abnormalities are suspected, medical attention should be sought immediately for imaging studies and pathological analysis to confirm the diagnosis and initiate early treatment, comprehensively improving survival rates and prognosis quality. Regular physical examinations, attention to personal hygiene, prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, and HPV vaccination can reduce the risk of vulvar cancer to some extent.