Vulvar Cancer

When To Call A Professional

It's extremely important to examine your vulva and the area around it yourself. If you note any persistent rash, persistent itching or pain of the vulva, any changes in the skin of the vulva or abnormal growths, bumps or ulcers, make an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation. Itchiness, abdominal pain or fever can signal infection instead of cancer. You should see your health care professional the same day if you have any abdominal pain with fever.

Prognosis

If vulvar cancer is detected early, chances of a cure are excellent. For cancers in which the lymph nodes are not affected, 90% of people survive 5 years or more. When vulvar cancer has invaded the lymph nodes, then the 5-year survival rate drops to 30% to 55%. The prognosis depends upon the number of lymph nodes involved.

Additional Info

American Cancer Society (ACS) 1599 Clifton Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30329-4251 Toll-Free: (800) 227-2345 http://www.cancer.org/

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Building 31 Room 10A03 31 Center Dr., MSC 2580 Bethesda, MD 20892-2580 Phone: (301) 435-3848 Toll-Free: (800) 422-6237 http://www.nci.nih.gov/

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 409 12th St., SW P.O. Box 96920 Washington, DC 20090-6920 Phone: (202) 863-2518 http://www.acog.org/

National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) 8550 Arlington Blvd., Suite 300 Fairfax, VA 22031 Toll-Free: (800) 994-9662 Fax: (703) 560-6598 TTY: (888) 220-5446 http://www.4woman.org/