Cancer - vulva

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Female perineal anatomy

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Cancer - vulva

Alternative Names:

Cancer - perineum

Treatment:

Surgical removal is the standard treatment. If the tumor is large (more than 2 cm) or has grown deeply into the underlying skin, excision of the lymph nodes in the groin may be necessary as well. Radiation, with or without chemotherapy, may be used to treat advanced tumors or tumor recurrences.

Support Groups:

The stress of illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.

Expectations (prognosis):

Five-year survival rates in women who are diagnosed and treated in the early stages of vulvar cancer can be excellent (more than 90%). The outcome depends on the size of the lesion, the type of cancer, and whether or not spreading (metastasis) to the lymph nodes of the region has occurred. Recurrence at or near the original site is fairly common.

Complications:

Complications may include metastasis, as well as side effects of radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if any vulvar lesion, skin color change, or local irritation persists longer than 2 weeks.

Review Date: 8/3/2004
Reviewed By: Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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