Pre-neoplastic lesions of vulvar cancer.

The monitoring of potentially neoplastic lesions is based on the determination of the histopathologic characteristics of the lesion, which is done either by large surgical resection of the lesions "in toto" or by biopsy of the lesion. Chronic vulvar dystrophy may develop into carcinoma, the supposed likelihood varying according to the various Authors. The lesion which is histologically defined as atypical keratoacanthoma is the most frequent precursor of carcinoma. Most Authors agree in believing that lichen scleroatrophic does not often develop into carcinoma. It is, nevertheless, the most frequent precursor of leukoplakia which is, on the other hand, a risk lesion. However, any chronic vulvar irritation may increase the risk of cancer and must therefore be carefully monitored by multiple biopsies to be examined at regular intervals.