White lesions of the vulva include white lesions of the vulva, leukoplakia of the vulva or vulvar dystrophy, which were previously thought to be vascular dystrophy, but with further understanding of the disease, the above changes were not found, but rather lesions with pigmentation changes and degeneration of the vulvar skin and mucosal tissue. Since the vulvar skin and mucosa of patients with sclerosing moss and squamous epithelial cell hyperplasia are mostly white, they are called white vulvar lesions, which are intraepithelial non-neoplastic lesions of the vulva. Sclerosing moss and squamous epithelial cell hyperplasia have changed their names several times in different ages due to different clinical and pathological understanding. Due to the confusion of the names, the International Society for the Study of Vulvar Diseases (ISSVD) referred to them collectively as “chronic vulvar dystrophy” in 1975. In recent years, the understanding of intraepithelial non-neoplastic lesions of the vulva has increased, and no clear vascular neurotrophic disorder has been found in the tissue of vulvar lesions, so in 1987, the ISSVD discussed and developed a new classification of vulvar dermatoses together with the International Society of Gynecologic Pathologists (ISGYP). Although the chance of cancer (mostly squamous cell carcinoma) in female sclerosing moss (commonly known as vulvar leukoplakia) is low, generally less than 5% according to international literature. However, it is still a cause of concern for patients. Recently, the leading international dermatology journal
JAMA Dermatology
recently published a review by Cooper of the Department of Dermatology, Oxford University Hospital, a very well-known international expert in female sclerosing moss. The title of the review is: Prompt and adequate treatment of female sclerosing molluscum can reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma. In the review, the authors emphasize the importance of prompt and adequate treatment of sclerosing moss in women. In the review, the authors made the following very important points: 1. The disease requires early diagnosis and early treatment 2. The disease needs long-term follow-up. 4. Even if there are no symptoms, follow-up is needed, even if the treatment is intermittent. 5. Topical hormone is still the main drug for the treatment of this disease, and the choice of the strength of topical hormone is adjusted according to the disease. At the end of the article, the authors emphasize that changing patients’ awareness, providing accessible methods, offering reasonable advice to patients, always being able to provide help to patients, and good patient compliance are several important factors in treating the disease and preventing its cancer.