|
Vulvar Cancer is an abnormal and malignant growth found in the external genitalia in adult females. Vulvar cancer is generally rare and can be completely cured with early diagnosis and treatment. Surgical treatment of vulvar cancer is recommended depending upon the stage of cancer and also the general health of the patient.
The patient suffering from vulvar cancer has to undergo a surgical treatment if the disease is diagnosed in stage I or stage II. Through surgery, the lymph nodes and the lesion that has turned cancerous are removed. Such removal of lesion can be done in two ways. Laser is used to burn the tissues or local excision is conducted with a scalpel. The procedure of removal depends on the stage of cancer.
Sometimes a large portion of the vulva needs to be removed, a process commonly known as vulvectomy. Radical vulvectomy involves removal of the entire vulva. Such surgical treatment of vulvar cancer is often followed by skin grafting which is essential for covering the wound and also making the artificial vulva. The inguinofemoral lymph node, which receives lymph fluid from sentinel mode or malignant lesion is thoroughly examined. If the malignant lesion has already intruded upon an area of 1mm, then the lymph nodes are removed. Such surgical removal of lymph node is known as lymphadenectomy. The patients may have to undergo radiation therapy or chemotherapy in the post operational phase for complete removal of the cancer cells.
Surgical treatment of vulvar cancer in Stage III and Stage IV is a complicated procedure. In these stages surgery is associated with vulvectomy, lymphadenectomy and pelvic exenteration. Often these surgical treatments develop complications and have risk factors. In such cases minimal surgery is recommended with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
|
For identification of sentinel nodes, the surgeons are depended on lymphoscintography, a procedure involved in the surgical treatment of vulvar cancer. The surgeons usually inject a radioactive compound called technetium 99m sulphur colloid in the lesion that has turned cancerous. The injection is given two hours before surgery. In course of the surgery, the sentinel node and the other lymph nodes effected by cancer are detected by radioactive detectors. Lymphoscintography is very useful in reduction of morbidity.
The complication which mostly arises during vulvectomy is the appearance of clear liquid accumulated in form of a tumor. Infection of urinary tract, accumulation of fluid in the legs( edema),
|
|
| infection from the wound, urinary incontinence, nerve injury, genital prolapse and thrombus ( blood clot) are the other complication that usually occurs during surgical treatment of vulvar cancer.
For more information on Gynecological Surgery, browse through pregnancyxl.com.
|
|
