Vulvar cancer occurs in the tissue that lines the vulva (labia). It usually starts around the clitoris or on the vaginal opening, called the labia. It often looks like a dark spot or a lump. It might be on the outside of the vulva or on the inside, near the urethra. In more than 90% of cases, vulvar cancer grows slowly over many years. The cancer can also start in a mole or on the edge of a nipple. It is rare for vulvar cancer to spread to other parts of the body.
Most people with vulvar cancer are treated with surgery. The type of surgery depends on the size, depth and location of the tumor and how far it has spread. Sometimes, the surgeon will remove lymph nodes in the groin area as well. These are called sentinel nodes. In some cases, the doctor may be able to just sample these nodes.
Some people with vulvar cancer have radiation therapy as part of their treatment. This is most often done after surgery, but it can be given before or instead of surgery. The doctor uses a machine that sends a high-energy beam of radiation through the skin to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor. Radiation is painless and can be given in the office or on an outpatient basis.
For some people, chemotherapy is used along with radiation or on its own. Chemotherapy is a drug that targets cancer cells and stops them from growing or dividing. It is usually given in the form of a pill, but it can be given intravenously (by vein) or orally as a liquid or gel. The doctor will recommend the best way to give chemotherapy for your situation.
Your doctor will use the results of your tests and a physical exam to decide what treatment is best for you. This is called staging. Your doctor will also talk with you about how your cancer might change your sexual life. You might have a harder time having sex or peeing or might have a change in your vaginal sensitivity. It is important to discuss these changes with your doctor.
After you have surgery, your doctor will talk to you about how to prevent vulvar cancer from coming back. The most important things are to practice safe sex and get the HPV vaccine, limit your number of sex partners, and get regular checkups.
You should report any changes in your vulva to your doctor right away. This includes redness, swelling or a strange smell. Also, don’t put anything into your vulva until your doctor says it is okay. This includes tampons, and having sexual intercourse.
