title: Vulval disease from the 1800s to the new millennium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study of vulval disease has become important over the last few decades. Although several inflammatory dermatoses were described at the end of the 19th century, vulval involvement in these conditions was only realized some time later. Indeed, the vulva may be a site of predilection of some inflammatory dermatoses such as lichen sclerosus.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  There are now groups of interested dermatologists, gynecologists, and genitourinary physicians that have cooperated to study patients with vulval disease. Hopefully, this will increase our knowledge over the next century.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review article examines vulval disease from an historical viewpoint and highlights important developments that have increased our understanding of the disorders that specifically affect the vulva.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Worcester Royal Infirmary, Worcester, England. fiona@usapey.-freeserve.co.uk
authors.forename: Fiona M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000473:pathology; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000473:pathology; D010145:Paget Disease, Extramammary / Q000473:pathology; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology