CURRENT CHALLENGES AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR VULVAR CANCER: DIAGNOSIS, THERAPY, AND PREVENTION

Introduction and purpose: Vulvar cancer is a rare malignancy of the female genital tract. However, due to the increasing incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections, there's a growing trend of this cancer affecting younger women. Often, misdiagnosis leads to delayed detection, resulting in a poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to review the current literature concerning the epidemiology, incidence, trends, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of vulvar cancer, in accordance with the latest ESGO 2021 guidelines. Description: This review provides a comprehensive overview of available treatment modalities, including surgical cytoreduction, chemotherapy, and emerging therapies such as immunotherapy and cancer vaccines. The importance of interdisciplinary care is highlighted, alongside the critical role of prevention and patient education in mitigating cancer risk. Summary: Despite diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, the overall prognosis for patients with vulvar cancer remains generally favorable. Nevertheless, disease recurrence—though associated with relatively low mortality—requires increased clinical vigilance. Therefore, patient education on the importance of regular monitoring during remission is essential.