Stages of vulvar cancer

The vulva is the area of ​​skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina, including the clitoris and labia. Vulvar cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer surface area of ​​the female reproductive organs. Vulvar cancer usually presents as a lump or ulcer on the vulva and often causes itching.

Two systems are used to stage vulvar cancer: the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) system and the American Cancer Commission's TNM system. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), the two systems are essentially the same. Both vulvar cancer staging systems are based on 3 information:
Range (size) of the tumor (T): How large and deep has the cancer grown? Has the cancer spread to nearby structures or organs, like the bladder or rectum? Spread to nearby lymph nodes (N): How many lymph nodes have the cancer spread to and has it grown outside of those lymph nodes? Metastasis to distant sites (M): Has the cancer spread to distant lymph nodes or distant organs? The numbers or letters after T, N, and M provide more details about each of these elements. A higher number means the cancer is more advanced. Once the T, N, and M factors have been identified, this information is combined with other processes to provide additional information about each stage of disease development, known as disease staging. Stage Grouping).

The staging system below uses the pathological stage (also known as the surgical stage) determined by biopsy of the tissues of the vulva that have been removed surgically. Sometimes, when a patient cannot undergo surgery before staging, the cancer will be classified based on clinical symptoms instead, based on the results of physical examination, biopsies, and imaging studies. Photos were taken before surgery.
The system described vulvar cancer stage below is AJCC's system with the latest version, effective January 2018 including 4 stages:
Vulvar cancer stage 1 (including IA and IB) ). Stage 2 (II) vulvar cancer. Stage 3 vulvar cancer (including IIIA, IIIB and IIIC). Stage 4 vulvar cancer (including IVA and IVB). Of note, neither the FIGO nor the TNM system are used for vulvar melanoma (Vulvar melanoma).

In addition, when writing the diagnosis, the doctor may add some of the following information:
TX: The primary tumor cannot be evaluated due to lack of information. T0: No evidence of primary tumor. NX: Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed due to lack of information. To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide, or register online HERE
References: Cancer.org and Mayoclinic. org
MORE:
What is a pussy? How to tell if the vulva is normal or abnormal? How is vulvar cancer treated? Early signs of vulvar cancer