Malignant melanoma of the Vulva

Malignant melanoma of the vulva
Malignant melanoma of the vulva is the second most common cancer of
the vulva, but is very rare. It accounts for 5% of all vulva
malignancy. Only 0.1% of all nevi in women are on vulvar skin, the
disproportionate frequency of occurrence of melanoma in this area may
be a result of the fact that nearly all vulvar nevi are of the
junctional variety. These tumours most commonly arise in the region of
labia minora and clitoris. There is a tendency of superficial spread
towards urethra and vagina. A darkly pigmented raised lesion at
mucocutaneous junction is a characteristics finding. However,
non-pigmented lesion may closely resembled to the squamous cell
carcinoma on inspection. The lesion primarily spreads through
lymphatic channels and tends to metastasize early in the course of
disease. It should be managed by wide local excision. Outcomes are not
influenced by inguinal lymph nodes dissection. The management should
be considered as for criteria for other sites of cutaneous melanoma.
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