Surgical procedures for cancer of the vulva include local excision, a procedure that removes the cancerous tissue from the vulva while leaving healthy tissue surrounding it. In other cases, a vulvectomy may remove the entire vulva, including the clitoris. In extreme cases, the vulvectomy may also involve removal of the rectum or cervix. In such a case, an artificial opening is created to collect urine and may be followed by radiation therapy.
Surgery is usually the first option for treatment of vulvar cancer. Depending on the stage and location of the cancer, a surgeon may recommend a wide local excision, partial vulvectomy, or a complete vulvectomy. The type of surgery used will depend on the stage, and type of cancer, as well as the patient’s general health. In the case of advanced vulvar cancer, however, the surgeon may suggest chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which involve the use of high-energy x-rays. A surgeon may also perform surgery in conjunction with a lymph node dissection.
Radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, is a treatment option for cancer of the vulva. This type of treatment is relatively painless but can have side effects. Depending on the area and dose, chemotherapy may increase skin soreness from radiation therapy. Most women can resume normal activities after undergoing chemotherapy, although some women may need to take it a little slower. Ultimately, it’s important to choose a treatment that works for you.
Although there is no specific cause for vulvar cancer, increasing age is a risk factor. Premature development of VIN is also known to lead to cancer of the vulva. Although the disease is rare, it accounts for three to five percent of female genital-tract malignancies. Regular pelvic examinations can help diagnose the disease earlier and increase the chances of surviving it. If you suspect that you have a VIN, you should seek medical attention right away.
Patients with vulvar cancer will undergo many medical procedures. A multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers will collaborate with you to develop a treatment plan. Surgical specimens and regional lymph nodes determine the final stage of the cancer. This helps the healthcare provider to decide on the most appropriate course of therapy. Cancers can be staged based on their location and size. A stage 0 cancer is confined to the vulva or perineum, which is the area between the anus and the vulva.
The most common form of vulvar cancer is a squamous cell carcinoma (BCC). These cells are located in the outer layer of the vulva. A few percent of vulval cancers are melanomas, which develop in skin cells. The exact cause of the cancer is unknown, but the abnormal cells multiply out of control. The symptoms of BCC are similar to those of Paget’s disease in the breast.
Unlike breast cancer, vulval cancer is not very common. Vulval cancer affects the outer portions of the genitals, typically the clitoris, labia minora, and pubic mound. While vulval cancer usually occurs in women after menopause, it can occur in any age. It is important to get the proper diagnosis, since many cancers can be found in the vagina.
