Prevention, identification and treatment of vulvar squamous (pre)malignancies: a review focusing on quality of care

Abstract

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma, its precursor lesions (usual and differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia) and lichen sclerosus are rare diseases that may have a large impact on the lives of affected women and their partners. Proper identification is vital, but the lesions are sometimes difficult to diagnose because of their rarity and variety of symptoms. High quality of care and proper treatment is important in order to minimize the morbidity and mortality caused by these lesions. This review gives an outline of the latest insights regarding the current evidence in this area and unresolved issues. Additionally, it highlights the improvements that should be made in order to optimize prevention and identification of (pre-)malignant vulvar lesions and to increase the quality of care for these patients.

Keywords::

• lichen sclerosus
• prevention
• quality of care
• vulvar clinic
• vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia
• vulvar squamous cell carcinoma

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscripts. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.