Cancer - perineum

Imiquimod 5% cream may be used to treat vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).

Treatment involves surgery to remove the cancer cells. If the tumor is large (more than 2 cm) or has grown deeply into the 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.

You can ease the stress of illness 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 type of vulvar cancer
• 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 you have any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks:

• Local irritation
• Skin color change
• Sore on the vulva

Images

Female perineal anatomy

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Review Date: 01/31/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)