Book contents
- The Vulva
- The Vulva
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Glossary
- Chapter 1 The Basics
- Chapter 2 Using Topical Steroids on the Vulva
- Chapter 3 Red Vulval Rashes
- Chapter 4 Things That Look White
- Chapter 5 Things That Ulcerate, Blister and Erode
- Chapter 6 Persistent Vaginitis
- Chapter 7 Lumps: Benign and Malignant
- Chapter 8 Vulval Pain and Dyspareunia
- Chapter 9 Vulval Disease in Children
- Chapter 10 Myths and Pearls
- Index
- References
Chapter 4 - Things That Look White
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 August 2023
- The Vulva
- The Vulva
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Glossary
- Chapter 1 The Basics
- Chapter 2 Using Topical Steroids on the Vulva
- Chapter 3 Red Vulval Rashes
- Chapter 4 Things That Look White
- Chapter 5 Things That Ulcerate, Blister and Erode
- Chapter 6 Persistent Vaginitis
- Chapter 7 Lumps: Benign and Malignant
- Chapter 8 Vulval Pain and Dyspareunia
- Chapter 9 Vulval Disease in Children
- Chapter 10 Myths and Pearls
- Index
- References
Summary
White- or pale-appearing patches on the vulva are uncommon. Most white vulval lesions are lichen sclerosus. However, vulval intra-epithelial neoplasia (VIN) may also appear white, and dermatitis complicated by lichenification or lichen simplex chronicus may also appear white.
In the past, white patches on the vulva were called ‘leukoplakia’. This term rarely appears anymore and should be regarded as out of date. It should be abandoned in favour of specific diagnostic terms. Because of the potential diagnostic confusion, white lesions on the vulva in adults should be biopsied if possible.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The VulvaA Practical Handbook for Clinicians, pp. 37 - 56Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023