How to care after surgery for benign vulvar tumor resection?

In daily life, many parts of the body can develop tumors. The vulva is a private part of women. This part will also develop tumors normally. However, most of them are benign, so you don’t need to worry too much. Generally speaking, benign vulvar tumors are uncommon. If you suffer from benign vulvar tumors, you need to actively undergo surgical treatment. After the benign vulvar tumor is removed by surgery, daily care is also required after the operation.

How to care after benign vulvar tumor resection?

After surgery for benign vulvar tumor resection, the local area should be kept clean to prevent local infection. It should be disinfected regularly with iodine tincture. At the same time, pay attention to diet and keep it as light as possible.

Clinical manifestations of benign vulvar tumors

1. Papilloma

Papilloma of the squamous epithelium of the vulva is relatively rare, mostly occurring on the labia, often single and slow-growing, and is more common in women over middle age. The tumor appears as a soft, wart-like growth with a greasy surface. Its size can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter, and it protrudes from the skin surface like a finger. Large papilloma may ulcerate, bleed, and become infected due to repeated friction. Papilloma generally has no obvious clinical symptoms, but there may be a history of vulvar itching and local inflammation.

2. Pigmented nevus

Pigmented moles can appear light brown, dark brown, or black. The size is generally 0.1cm to 1cm in diameter, with a flat or slightly raised surface, some are smooth, some are rough, and some may have hair. Growth is slow. Pigmented nevi are sensitive to the stimulation of sex hormones and tend to increase in size and darken during puberty. During the active stage or malignant transformation, the color of the mole may darken and the surrounding skin may become red. There is exudation, bleeding, scab and formation of small ulcers; local burning, itching and pain, accompanied by enlarged inguinal lymph nodes.

3. Sweat adenoma

Apocrine adenomas are common on the labia majora and are more common in adulthood. The tumor has clear boundaries, and the diameter of the nodules around the raised skin is generally less than 1 cm. Occasionally, it may become cystic and reach the size of an egg. The tumor is adherent to a thin layer of epithelium covering the surface, but the tumor can be moved. The texture of the nodules varies from soft to hard. Slow growth, no symptoms. Sometimes the papillary growths inside the cyst may protrude beyond the ruptured cyst wall, with a small amount of bleeding and itching.

4. Fibroids

Most of these tumors are located in the labia majora, and a few are found in the labia minora, clitoris and round ligament. It is uncommon clinically and mostly occurs in women of childbearing age. The tumor is generally round, irregular in shape, smooth, hard, and has a feeling of falling and pain. There may be difficulty urinating and sexual intercourse disorders. If the covering epithelium is ulcerated, there may be bleeding and increased secretions. The patient may be able to see or feel the mass.

5. Lipoma

If the tumor is small, there will be no clinical symptoms. When it grows larger, the vulva may feel like it is falling, and rupture may cause bleeding. The tumor is soft and lobed, occasionally protruding above the skin like a skin tag. Those located in the subcutaneous fat have clear boundaries and can be moved. Those located in the labia majora appear as protruding lumps.

6. Granular cell myoblastoma

It is common on the labia majora, and the location may be slightly deeper, but most cases are superficial. A few tumors may be higher than the skin surface, and the skin covering the tumor is often less pigmented. The tumor grows slowly and is a painless hard nodule. When the surface of the tumor is ulcerated, there may be local exudation and pain, which can easily be mistaken for cancer. The tumor is 1 cm to 4 cm in diameter and has no obvious capsule.

7. Leiomyoma

Vulvar leiomyoma has a diameter of 1cm to 11cm, is generally dumbbell-shaped, hard and lobed. Most are sessile but have a broad base and are mobile. It may gradually grow larger and cause difficulty in movement and a feeling of heaviness; if it grows near the vagina, it may make sexual intercourse difficult. There may be pain or tenderness.

8. Hemangioma

(1) Senile hemangioma mostly occurs in women aged 40 to 60. The tumor is located on the labia majora, is soft, and is a small nodule of bright red or dark red that is slightly raised on the skin. The surface is smooth and will fade when pressed. The diameter is usually only 2mm to 3mm. Countless dilated capillaries can be seen under a microscope. It is generally asymptomatic and will not become malignant. Bleeding easily after surface injury.

(2) Angiokeratoma often occurs in women of childbearing age. Its occurrence may be related to capillary dilation, venous reflux obstruction and pregnancy. The tumor surface often has epidermal hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis. They often appear as multiple, dark red or purple-black warts the size of mung beans, with the largest not exceeding 2 cm in diameter. Some appear as vascular papules, which may gather into groups when multiple. Usually asymptomatic.

(3) Pyogenic granuloma is also called telangiectatic granuloma. It often appears on the labia majora during pregnancy, degenerates after delivery, and often persists and recurs. The tumor is about 1 cm in diameter and is the most symptomatic type of vulvar tumor in adult women. The tumor is brown or dark red in color, with a granulation tissue-like surface or covered with a thin layer of epidermis. The base may be hard and tender. It is prone to repeated bleeding and erosion.