Treatment Options

Vulvar Cancer Treatment

When abnormal, precancerous cells are detected on the vulva, patients may undergo a simple non-invasive laser surgery to remove the cells before they develop into cancer. However, once cancer is diagnosed, the most common treatment is surgical removal of the diseased tissue. Because the groin lymph nodes are the most common sites of cancer spread from the vulva an inguinal lymphadenectomy, the removal of these lymph nodes, is typically required. Other surgical treatments may be selected based on the stage of the disease, including: wide local excision, radical local excision, vulvectomy or pelvic exenteration. Some patients may receive additional chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of both to ensure that any remaining undetectable cancer cells are killed.

Inguinal Lymphadenectomy. The lymph nodes in one or both groin are removed and studied to help determine if any further treatment, such as radiation therapy is required.
Wide Local Excision. A surgical procedure to remove the cancer and some of the normal tissue surrounding the cancer.
Radical Local Excision. A surgical procedure to remove the cancer and a large portion of the bordering normal and deep tissue.
Vulvectomy. A surgical procedure to remove part or all of the vulva.
Pelvic Exenteration. A surgical procedure to remove the rectum, bladder, cervix, vagina, ovaries and nearby lymph nodes. Artificial openings (stoma) are made for urine and stool to flow from the body into a collection bag.

Chemotherapy. This treatment uses potent drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Typically, one or more drugs are administered intravenously (directly into the veins). Chemotherapy may also be given in combination with radiation therapy to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

Radiation Therapy. The goal of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells while harming as little normal tissue as possible. This therapy may be used before, during and/or after chemotherapy, and is delivered in one of two ways—depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated. Radiation can either be administered to the affected area(s) from outside the body or, in other instances, inserted through a needle or catheter into or near the cancer.

Seek the most aggressive treatments available from our multidisciplinary gynecologic team with a referral from your primary care physician or with a self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-685-LACK(S).