Ladies, please pay attention to the symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia!

When women develop white lesions on their vulva, a series of symptoms will appear. The most obvious feeling is vulvar itching. More serious symptom is severe pain. Others may also experience edema and chapped vulvar skin.

1. Clinical manifestations of vulvar leukoplakia

The main symptom is severe itching of the vulva. The itching may last from 2 to 3 months from onset to treatment, or even up to 20 years. The severity of the itching is not affected by season or day or night. Patients with vulvar squamous hyperplasia may experience more severe itching. If accompanied by trichomoniasis or candidal vaginitis, the secretions will be more, and the local burning, stinging and itching are related to the damage or infection of the skin and mucous membranes. There is varying degrees of local hypopigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes, often with edema, chapped skin and scattered superficial ulcers.

2. Examination of white lesions of the vulva

Biopsy should be performed on areas with fissures, ulcers, bumps, nodules, or roughness. Multiple biopsies are sent for pathological examination to determine the nature of the lesion and rule out early cancer. In order to ensure appropriate sampling when vulvar squamous epithelial hyperplasia is suspected, the affected area can be first painted with 1% toluidine blue, and then scrubbed with 1% acetic acid to decolorize it after it dries. Any area that does not discolor indicates the presence of naked nuclei. If a biopsy is performed at this location, there is a high possibility of finding atypical hyperplasia or even cancer.

3. Diagnosis of white lesions of the vulva

A preliminary diagnosis can be made based on clinical manifestations; pathological examination is required for definitive diagnosis. When sampling, it is necessary to sample from multiple points such as the affected area: ulcers, chapped fissures, nodules, protrusions or rough areas, and the sampling should be appropriate. When vulvar squamous epithelial hyperplasia is suspected, 1% toluidine blue can be applied to the affected area first. After drying, it can be decolorized with 1% acetic acid solution. In the non-decolorized area, biopsy forceps can be used perpendicular to the skin and deep into the dermis to obtain a biopsy. Any area that does not discolor indicates the presence of naked nuclei. Biopsy in this area can improve the accuracy of diagnosis.