Vulva Cancer
The vulva is the external genital organs of the female, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vestibule of the vagina. In common speech, the term "vagina" is often used improperly to refer to the vulva, or female genitals generally, even though strictly speaking the vagina is a specific internal structure and the vulva is the exterior genitalia only. Calling the vulva the vagina is akin to calling the mouth the throat.
Cancer of the vulva can occur on any part of the external female sex organs. The inner edges of the labia majora, and the labia minora are the most common areas for it to develop. Less often, cancer may also involve the clitoris, or the Bartholin glands (small glands, one on each side of the vagina). It can, also, sometimes affect the perineum. Cancer of the vulva can take many years to develop. Before it does, early changes occur in the cells of the vulva. The name given to these abnormal cells, which are not cancerous but may lead to cancer, is vulva intra-epithelial neoplasia (VIN).
Useful Sites for more information:
Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer
This page last updated: 19th Nov, 2008 03:29:54