Treatment

Main treatments for vulval cancer

Vulval cancer is often treatable.

The treatment you have will depend on:

the size and type of vulval cancer you have
where the cancer is
if it has spread
your general health

The main treatment for vulval cancer is usually surgery. You may also have radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
work with you to create a treatment plan that's best for you
help you to manage the side effects of treatment

If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team. You do not have to wait for your next appointment.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the main treatment for vulval cancer, especially if the cancer is found early.

Surgery may involve removing:

the cancer and an area of tissue around it
part of your vulva
the whole of your vulva, including the labia and sometimes the clitoris

You may also need to have some lymph nodes in your groin removed. These are part of the body's drainage system.

After removing the cancer, the surgeon will repair your vulva using the remaining skin. In some cases a specialist doctor (plastic surgeon) will need to reconstruct your vulva. They'll do this by using skin or muscle from other parts of your body.

You'll be supported through surgery and recovery by your specialist team.

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: types of surgery for vulval cancer

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays of radiation to kill cancer cells.

You may have radiotherapy for vulval cancer:

before surgery, to shrink the cancer
after surgery, to help stop the cancer coming back
if you cannot have surgery
if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body

Find out more

Macmillan Cancer Support: radiotherapy for vulval cancer

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

You may have chemotherapy for vulval cancer:

before surgery, to shrink the cancer
after surgery, to help stop the cancer coming back
if you cannot have surgery
to treat your symptoms if the cancer has spread

Find out more

Macmillan Cancer Support: chemotherapy for vulval cancer

What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured

If you've been diagnosed with advanced vulval cancer, it may be hard to treat and not possible to cure.

The aim of treatment will be to slow down the growth and spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms, and help you live longer.

Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a symptom control team or palliative care team.

They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need.

Find out more

Macmillan Cancer Support: end of life care

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
Photos: OutUK and LightFieldStudios.