C51: Malignant neoplasm of vulva

C51.1: Malignant neoplasm: Labium minus

The tissue in the body is made up of cells. With cancer, the cells multiply uncontrollably, which leads to a malignant neoplasm (abnormal growth of tissue) developing. The cancer cells can destroy the healthy tissue and spread throughout the body.

The external genitals include the labia, clitoris and the skin around the vagina. You have cancer in the labia minora or the surrounding skin.

Not every cancer is the same. There are cancers that develop quickly. You may then quickly feel seriously ill. But there are also cancers that progress slowly. You may then feel generally unwell or weak, or even have no symptoms at all to start with. This cancer can change the skin on the external genitals. The skin may be itchy and red. You can have very inflamed or open wounds on the external genitals. The skin can also appear very dark.

Please note: This ICD code may also derive from the ICD-O system. If this is the case, there are usually additional letters and numbers in addition to the code. It starts with the letter M, followed by 4 digits and then a slash. There is another digit after the slash.

If it is an ICD-O code, then this does not describe a malignant cancer in all cases. The last digit after the slash gives you more detailed information about this: