Vulvar Cancer

Prevention

You can take steps to reduce your risk of vulvar cancer. You also can take steps to identify and treat precancerous conditions before they turn into invasive cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is found in 20% to 50% of invasive vulvar cancers. Certain types of human papilloma virus are transmitted during sexual contact. You can lower your risk of HPV by:

• Using latex condoms (the female condom protects a broader area of the lower genital tract and vulva compared with the male condom)

• Minimizing your number of sexual partners

• Avoiding sexual relations with someone who has had many sexual partners

The risk of HPV and vulvar cancer is also lower if you do not have sex before you are 18 years old. Early detection and treatment of precancerous conditions helps to prevent many cases of invasive squamous cell vulvar cancer. Precancerous and cancerous conditions can be detected early if your reproductive system is examined each year and any problems, such as vulvar rashes, moles and lumps, are examined thoroughly.

Your vulva normally is examined at the same time you have a Pap test and pelvic examination. In general, doctors recommend that women start to have annual pelvic exams and regular Pap tests when they become sexually active or by the age of 21 at the latest. After three negative Pap tests at least one year apart, your doctor may do the test every two to three years, depending on your age and whether you have certain risks of developing cervical cancer.

Removing atypical or "funny-looking" moles found on the vulva will help to prevent some vulvar melanomas. Quitting smoking and avoiding the use of tobacco can reduce the risk of developing many cancerous conditions of the body, including vulvar cancer and precancerous changes in the vulva.

Treatment

The treatment of vulvar cancer depends upon the type of cancer, its stage at diagnosis and its location on the vulva. Treatment also will be influenced by the patient's age and overall health, and the importance of maintaining sexual function balanced against the need to remove all the cancer. The main forms of treatment include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Surgery is the most common treatment for vulvar cancer. It can take many forms, depending upon how much tissue must be removed. The surgeon will try to remove all the cancer cells while preserving as much sexual function as possible. The following procedures are listed in order of the least to most aggressive tissue removal.