Epidemiology and pathology of vulvar cancer

This article presents the current situation with respect to epidemiological observations and etiological factors for the various malignant vulvar tumors. Knowledge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis and etiological factors of vulvar cancer is not only relevant for preventive strategies, measures for early recognition, implementation of screening programs and therapeutic decisions but also for postoperative management in the sense of risk stratification. The initial understanding of the molecular biological pathways is also outlined. Further research can in the future initiate a decidedly novel systematization of nosological subentities and possibly also enable innovative therapeutic approaches and strategies. © 2017, Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH.