What is Vulvar Cancer?

Cancer usually starts when normal cells in the body change. They start growing out of control. Cancer cells can form lumps of tissue. These lumps are called tumors. Cancer that starts in the vulva is called vulvar cancer.

The vulva is the external part of the female reproductive system. It's the area just outside the vagina. It includes the opening of the vagina and the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral opening, and Bartholin and Skene glands.

There are different types of vulvar cancer.

• Squamous cell carcinoma. This is the most common type. It can start as a precancerous condition called vulva intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).
• Melanoma.
• Other, rare types such as:
  • Basal cell carcinoma.
  • Bartholin gland carcinoma.
  • Paget disease of the vulva.
  • Sarcoma.

Symptoms can include lesions on the vulva, itching, bleeding, and pain.

Like most cancers, vulvar cancer can spread. It can spread to other parts of the reproductive system. It can also spread to nearby organs and other parts of the body. It's called metastasis when cancer spreads outside the vulva. The more that cancer spreads, the harder it is to treat.

You and your doctor will decide on a treatment plan that's best for you. You may have one or a combination of treatments. They may include:

• Surgery. The affected parts of the vulva are removed. Sometimes the entire vulva is taken out (vulvectomy). Nearby lymph nodes in the groin may also be taken out (lymphadenectomy).
• Radiation therapy. This uses focused beams of high energy to kill cancer cells. It may be used alone, with chemotherapy, or after surgery.
• Chemotherapy. This uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells. It may be used alone, with radiation, or before surgery.
• Immunotherapy. This uses medicines that help your body's own immune system better fight cancer.
• Targeted therapy. This uses medicines that target the abnormal changes in the cancer cells.
• Topical therapy. This places drugs right at the affected area. It's used for precancer treatment only.

After treatment, you'll be checked often for signs and symptoms of the cancer coming back.