What it is
The main treatment is surgery, sometimes with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Treatment works best when the cancer is found early.
Get any lasting itch, lump, sore or skin change on the vulva checked by a doctor.
Common signs
- A lasting itch on the vulva
- Pain, soreness or tenderness
- Raised and thickened patches of skin that may be red, white or dark
- A lump or open sore
- Bleeding or discharge that is not a period
- A mole on the vulva that changes
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination
- Biopsy
- Scans to check spread
- Sometimes a sentinel lymph node biopsy
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Biopsy and histology reports
- Gynaecology and oncology letters
- Scan reports
- Surgical notes
Questions to ask your doctor
- What stage is the cancer?
- What treatment do you recommend and why?
- How will surgery affect me afterwards?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Heavy bleeding with dizziness or fainting: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.