Information From Your Health Care Provider

VAGINAL OR VULVAR CANCER

Basic information

description

Vaginal or vulvar cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the vagina or on the vulva. The vagina is the opening to the birth canal. The vulva is the whole area surrounding the vagina and extending to the thighs including the clitoris and vaginal lips. These cancers are rare and occur mostly in women over age 50. One type (rhabdomyosarcoma) occurs in children.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

There are usually no symptoms in early stage.
Vulvar itching.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Discomfort, pain, or bleeding with intercourse.
Small or large, firm, painless sores on the vulva that may bleed easily.
Changes in skin color.

causes

The exact cause is unknown. Certain risk factors have been identified.

risk increases with

Women over age 60.
Being born between 1938 and 1971 to a mother who took DES to control spotting or bleeding in pregnancy. DES is diethylstilbestrol, a drug prescribed up to 1971.
Family history of cancer of reproductive organs.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)—cause of genital warts.
HIV infection.
Smoking.
Precancerous conditions.
Other cancer.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures. Avoid risk factors where possible. Have a yearly pelvic exam and Pap smear to detect possible problems early.
Become familiar with the appearance of your genitals. Use a mirror and examine once a month. Darker spots around the labia are generally not vaginal or vulvar cancer. They may be a sign of melanoma, a skin cancer. See your health care provider for any dark skin change.
HPV vaccine (approved for ages 9-26). It protects against most, but not all, HPV types that cause genital warts or cervical or vaginal cancer. It is most effective when given before first sexual contact.

expected outcomes

Early diagnosis and treatment offer a good chance for complete recovery.

possible complications

Cancer treatments can cause side effects.
Cancer recurs.
Spread of cancer to other parts of the body.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and a pelvic exam and ask questions about your symptoms. Medical tests help to diagnose cancer and to check if it has spread to other parts of the body (called staging).
Treatment options include surgery, radiation, laser therapy, and chemotherapy. It depends on the location and stage of the cancer, and the age and physical health of the patient. Precancer conditions may be treated.
Surgery involves leaving normal skin while removing the cancer. Different options are used depending on the cancer stage. All or part of the vagina and vulva may be removed. Lymph node removal may be needed if cancer has spread.
Laser therapy may be used for treatment of some vulvar cancer.
Radiation treatment may be done. External radiation shrinks the primary tumor. Internal radiation (implants) affects cancer that has spread to nearby tissues.
To learn more: American Cancer Society; (800) ACS-2345; website: www.cancer.org or National Cancer Institute; (800) 4-CANCER; website: www.cancer.gov.

medications

Anticancer (chemotherapy) drugs may be given by pill, through a vein, or applied topically.
Pain relievers (if needed) may be prescribed.
Use stool softener (if needed) to prevent constipation.

activity

After surgery, resume your normal activities gradually, allowing 6 weeks for full recovery.
Sexual relations may be resumed when healing is complete or as advised by your health care provider.

diet

No special diet after treatment.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of cancer of the vagina or vulva.
After treatment, signs of infection, such as pain, fever, swelling, or excessive vaginal bleeding occur.