Pruritus Vulvae—A Masquerader of Carcinoma Vulva: A Case Report

Pruritus vulvae is a common symptom of most vulval pathologies.Even cancer vulva, a rare one, comprises 4% of gynecological malignancies and 0.6% of all cancers in women.A 60-year-old woman presented to the dermatology department with the complaint of progressively increasing itching on the external genitalia for 6 months.A biopsy was taken, which showed mild atypia, possibly reactive.With a non-resolving lesion, she was referred to the gynecological outdoor patient department.An excisional biopsy was performed.It provided a differential diagnosis of intense inflammation or squamous cell carcinoma.Immunohistochemistry suggested it to be vulvar cancer as it was immune reactive 4+ in atypical cells for p16, p63, and Ki67, suggestive of vulval cancer.The patient and the family opted for regular follow-up as per consultation with the onco-surgeon and the radiation therapist.A year later, the patient reported a visible lesion close to the original spot.A biopsy was performed, and a carcinoma vulva was discovered.She had chemotherapy for the further same.