How is vulvar cancer treated

Although there are no easy answers for coping with vulvar cancer, the following suggestions may help:. Your first appointment will usually be with either your primary care doctor or a gynecologist. If your doctor or gynecologist suspects or diagnoses cancer, you'll likely be referred to a gynecologic oncologist who specializes in surgery for gynecologic cancers.

Because appointments can be brief, and it can be difficult to remember everything you want to discuss, it's a good idea to be prepared. Here are some suggestions for preparing, and what you can expect from your doctor. Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For vulvar cancer, some basic questions to ask include:.

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions that occur to you. Your doctor will likely have a number of questions for you.

Some questions your doctor might ask include:. Vulvar cancer care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Diagnosing vulvar cancer Tests and procedures used to diagnose vulvar cancer include: Examining your vulva. Your doctor will likely conduct a physical exam of your vulva to look for abnormalities. Using a special magnifying device to examine your vulva. During a colposcopy exam, your doctor uses a device that works like a magnifying glass to closely inspect your vulva for abnormal areas.

Treatment aims to remove the cancer while leaving sexual function intact. At the later stages, and if the cancer has spread to nearby organs, such as the urethra, vagina or rectum, surgery will be more extensive. Radiation therapy can shrink deep lesions or tumors before surgery, so they will be easier to remove. It can also treat lymph nodes. It can be used to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

How it is used depends on which stage the cancer has reached. Chemotherapy is often used with radiotherapy as part of palliative care. It may be used on the skin, as a cream or lotion, but the method will depend on whether and how far the cancer has spread. Reconstructive surgery may be possible, depending on how much tissue is removed. Plastic surgery reconstruction can involve skin flaps, and a skin graft is sometimes possible.

Biologic therapy is a kind of immunotherapy. It uses either synthetic or natural substances to help the body defend itself against cancer. Imiquimod is an example. It may be applied topically, as a cream, to treat vulvar cancer. Up to 24 percent of vulvar cancers will eventually come back. It is important to attend follow-up visits. There is no standard screening for vulvar cancer, but women should carry out checkups as their doctor recommends, and be aware of any changes to their body.

The outlook is better with early diagnosis. If vulvar cancer is diagnosed in the local stage, when it is still in a limited area, the relative chance of living for at least 5 years after diagnosis is 86 percent. If it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues, the patient has a percent chance of living for at least 5 years.

If diagnosis happens when the cancer has already reached more distant organs, the chance of surviving at least 5 more years is 16 percent.

It is important to attend regular pap tests and to look out for any unusual changes, because finding a cancer early increases the chance of a good outcome. The vagina and the female orgasm are a mystery to many. Find out how the female sex organs work together to cause sexual arousal and satisfaction.

Legal Requirements. Step 3: Peer Review and Funding Outcomes. Manage Your Award. Grants Management Contacts. Prior Approvals. Annual Reporting and Auditing. Transfer of a Grant. Grant Closeout. Cancer Training at NCI. Resources for Trainees. Funding for Cancer Training. Building a Diverse Workforce.

National Cancer Act 50th Anniversary Commemoration. Resources for News Media. Media Contacts. Cancer Reporting Fellowships. Advisory Board Meetings. Social Media Events. Cancer Currents Blog. Contributing to Cancer Research. Strategic Planning. Principal Deputy Director's Page.

Previous NCI Directors. NCI Frederick. Advisory Boards and Review Groups. NCI Congressional Justification. Current Congress. Committees of Interest. Legislative Resources. Recent Public Laws. Search Search. Vulvar Cancer. Vulvar Cancer Treatment. Key Points Vulvar cancer is a rare disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the vulva. Having vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia or HPV infection can increase the risk of vulvar cancer.

Signs of vulvar cancer include bleeding or itching in the vulvar area. Tests that examine the vulva are used to diagnose vulvar cancer. Certain factors affect prognosis chance of recovery and treatment options. Inner and outer lips of the vagina. Clitoris sensitive tissue between the lips. Opening of the vagina and its glands. Mons pubis the rounded area in front of the pubic bones that becomes covered with hair at puberty. Perineum the area between the vulva and the anus.

Older age. Having human papillomavirus HPV infection. Having vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia VIN. Having a history of genital warts. Having many sexual partners. Having first sexual intercourse at a young age. Having a history of abnormal Pap tests Pap smears.

A lump or growth on the vulva that looks like a wart or ulcer. Itching in the vulvar area that does not go away. Bleeding not related to menstruation periods. Pain in the vulvar area. Physical exam and health history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking the vulva for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual.

Pelvic exam : An exam of the vagina, cervix , uterus , fallopian tubes , ovaries , and rectum. A speculum is inserted into the vagina and the doctor or nurse looks at the vagina and cervix for signs of disease. A Pap test of the cervix is usually done. The doctor or nurse also inserts one or two lubricated , gloved fingers of one hand into the vagina and places the other hand over the lower abdomen to feel the size, shape, and position of the uterus and ovaries.

The doctor or nurse also inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for lumps or abnormal areas. Enlarge Pelvic exam.

A doctor or nurse inserts one or two lubricated, gloved fingers of one hand into the vagina and presses on the lower abdomen with the other hand.

This is done to feel the size, shape, and position of the uterus and ovaries. The vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, and rectum are also checked. Pap test : A procedure to collect cells from the surface of the cervix and vagina.

A piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick is used to gently scrape cells from the cervix and vagina. The cells are viewed under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal.

Cells are collected from the vulva and DNA or RNA from the cells is checked to find out if an infection is caused by a type of human papillomavirus that is linked to vulvar cancer. This test may be done using the sample of cells removed during a Pap test. This test may also be done if the results of a Pap test show certain abnormal vulvar cells.

Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues from the vulva so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. Colposcopy : A procedure in which a colposcope a lighted, magnifying instrument is used to check the vagina and cervix for abnormal areas.

Tissue samples may be taken using a curette spoon-shaped instrument or a brush and checked under a microscope for signs of disease. MRI magnetic resonance imaging : A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves , and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging NMRI.

CT scan CAT scan : A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

PET scan positron emission tomography scan : A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose sugar is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.

Whether the cancer has spread to nearby areas or other parts of the body. Whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred come back.

Key Points After vulvar cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the vulva or to other parts of the body. There are three ways that cancer spreads in the body.

Cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body. In vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia VIN , abnormal cells are found on the surface of the vulvar skin. Cystoscopy : A procedure to look inside the bladder and urethra to check for abnormal areas. Home Diseases and Conditions Vulvar Cancer.

Table of Contents. What is vulvar cancer? What causes vulvar cancer? How is vulvar cancer diagnosed? Can vulvar cancer be prevented or avoided?

HPV infections may increase your risk for developing vulvar cancer. Vulvar cancer treatment Vulvar cancer is usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments. Living with vulvar cancer If surgery is part of your treatment, your body may look different afterward. What is the right treatment for my vulvar cancer? Will my treatment have any effect on my sex drive or on my enjoyment of sex?

Can vulvar cancer run in families? Last Updated: February 18, This article was contributed by: familydoctor. Tags: vulvar biopsy.