Vulvar cancer diagnosis

Nodules in the area of a woman's external genitalia, tubercles, or ulceration with roller edges - this is what vulvar cancer looks like. The primary method of illness detection is a gynecological examination. In the case of vulva cancer, a doctor may suspect a tumor at the first examination. A detailed survey includes:Lab tests. General and biochemical blood tests say about the health and the functions of internal organs, such as the liver and kidneys. Colposcopy. It is performed using an optical colposcope device. Under significant magnification, the physician studies the surface of the vulva and its formations. Ultrasound scan with biopsy under anesthesia or cytological analysis of a smear from the mucous membrane. It helps to distinguish a benign formation from a malignant one accurately. If the tumor is large and a gynecologist suspicion that it has spread beyond the vulva, he may additionally prescribe:Endoscopic examination of the inner surface of the bladder and rectum. CT and MRI to detect cancer in lymph nodes and various organs. Chest X-rays to search for metastases in the chest. PET scan for distant metastases searching. Based on the test results, the doctor understands whether the tumor has metastasis, where they are located, and what treatment to choose.