Cancer - vulva

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Female perineal anatomy

Cancer - perineum

Treatment involves surgery to remove the cancer cells. If the tumor is large (more than 2 cm) or has grown deeply into the underlying skin, the lymph nodes in the groin area may also be removed.

Radiation, with or without chemotherapy, may be used to treat advanced tumors or vulvar cancer that comes back.

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

Most women with vulvar cancer who are diagnosed and treated at an early stage do well. However, a woman's outcome depends on the size of the tumor, the specific type of vulvar cancer, and whether the cancer has spread. The cancer commonly comes back at or near the site of the original tumor.

Complications may include:

• Spread of the cancer to other areas of the body
• Side effects of radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy

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

Review Date: 09/11/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.