Leukoplakia vulva (symptoms and treatment)

Leukoplakia of the vulva is a dystrophic change occurring in the mucosa of the vulva, during which the corneal epithelial layer occurs. It is easy to detect, because it has external manifestations in the form of the appearance of whitish small spots protruding above the surface of the epithelium. To my great regret, leukoplakia of the vulva belongs to a precancerous disease. Immediately after the onset of symptoms, it is necessary to begin treatment for this serious disease.

Leukoplakia vulva, the treatment of which your doctor appoints, may be as follows:

1. Three times a day, Dremovate ointment is used, and a month later, twice a day. Over time, the treatment of damaged areas of the mucous membrane is reduced to once a day.

2. Apply baths with various antiseptic drugs, sedatives, estrogen-containing ointments.

3. Cauterization of the laser lesion focus.

Among the modern methods of treating this disease, the most effective method is the cryodestruction method. Due to cryodestruction, the mucous membranes are not damaged, therefore, they are not covered with scar tissue, and their healing is practically painless. During this treatment, the vulvar leukoplakia is destroyed. Such cryosurgery absolutely has no side effects and is recommended for all patients (even the elderly and having physical illnesses).

Leukoplakia vulva usually occurs after 60 years. It is accompanied by dysparesuria, a sensation of itching and discomfort in the vulva. Sometimes this disease is associated with verrucous or papular elements. In addition, in the area of the cervix, sometimes there are papular flat warts or abonioid papulosis caused by the fusion of many papules. Such complications lead to the formation of verrocus leukoplakia. Genital leukoplakia of the vulva is histologically characterized by intracellular vacuolization of flat condylomas, which often imparts an atypical appearance to epithelial tissues, in medicine known as "coliform cellular atypia." It is often difficult to differentiate with a true atypy.

The diagnosis of "leukoplakia vulva" is determined by the results of histological studies and a clinical picture. Histological confirmation is necessary to exclude the presence in the affected area of the epithelium of atypical cells. Differentiation of the diagnosis of this disease with Bowen's disease and Bovenoid papulosis is also carried out according to the results of histological examination.

There is one more serious disease, which is one of the earliest manifestations of HIV infection: hairy leukoplakia. The lesions of the mucosa during this disease are located in the oral cavity. The overwhelming majority of patients with a tongue (less often - on the mucous cheeks) have whitish plaques.

Hairy leukoplakia is associated with activation of a latent infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Unlike usual candidiasis, with this disease, plaques are covered with small grooves. Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture of the disease and detection of the Epstein-Barr virus, which is carried out with the help of an immunohistochemical method.

Treatment of the disease is produced by such drugs as zidovudine, ganciclovir and acyclovir. Sometimes this disease passes and without treatment, but in any case, if the first signs appear, it should be consulted to the doctor, as it is characteristic for the early stages of HIV infection. In this case, the risk of Burkitt's lymphoma increases , and such a disease will require radiation and chemotherapy.