Vulvar Cancer Center
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Cancer of the vulva, according to the National Cancer Institute, is a rare kind of cancer in women that affects the outer part of a woman's vagina, also known as the birth canal. Most women with cancer of the vulva are over age 50, with the peak age range being 65-75 - however, it is becoming more common in women under age 40. Women who have constant itching and changes in the color and the way the vulva looks are at higher risk to get cancer of the vulva. It is important for every woman to have an annual pelvic exam and Pap smear, during which your doctor will find any abnormality in color or structure of the vulva.
Vulvar cancer represents between five to twelve percent of all invasive gynecologic cancer. There are no screening tests recommended other than self-vulvar exams and regular pelvic exams. Vulvar biopsy of any suspicious vulvar lesion is the main diagnostic test.
Factors that increase risk for vulvar cancer are:
- A history of granulomatous venereal ulcers (syphllis, granuloma inguinale, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum)
- History of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, type 16 (condyloma accuminata)
- Chronic vulvar burning and itching
Treatment for vulvar cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease, your age and general health and other factors your doctor will discuss with you.
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, we use many tools to help you fight vulvar cancer on all fronts. A powerful combination of traditional and new, innovative therapies are provided by cancer experts who work with you to determine the appropriate combination of therapies, which may include:
- Fractionated Dose Chemotherapy, which divides a powerful dose of drugs into smaller doses, given over several days. This approach exposes cancer cells to the drugs for a longer period of time, while also seeking to reduce the unpleasant side effects often experienced with larger doses.
Vulvar cancer can be particularly devastating to a woman emotionally. In addition to the therapies described above, CTCA enriches your treatment by offering complementary and alternative therapies such as naturopathic medicine, nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine, image enhancement and spiritual counseling. CTCA is with you every step of the way in what truly is the fight of your life.