Vulvar cancer

Overview

Vulvar cancer is cancer that affects the skin of the female external genitalia. Vulvar cancer can affect any part of the vulva, which includes the area of skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina, including the clitoris and labia.

Treatment for vulvar cancer usually involves surgery to remove the cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue that surrounds it. Advances in vulvar cancer treatment have made it possible in many cases to limit the amount of the vulva removed during surgery. This increases the likelihood that women with vulvar cancer will experience minimal functional complications.

Read more about vulvar cancer.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for vulvar cancer

• Teamwork. At Mayo Clinic, gynecologic oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and plastic surgeons work as a multidisciplinary team to treat vulvar cancer. Other professionals are included as needed.
• Experience. Vulvar cancer is an uncommon type of cancer. Mayo Clinic doctors have experience treating many cases of vulvar cancer.
• A full range of treatment options to consider. Mayo Clinic doctors will work with you to review all of your treatment options and choose the treatment that best suits your needs and goals. The range of treatments offered to women with vulvar cancer includes chemotherapy, radiation and many types of surgical procedures, such as local excision, partial vulvectomy, radical vulvectomy, lymph node removal, sentinel lymph node biopsy and reconstructive surgery.
• Innovative surgical techniques. Mayo Clinic surgeons work to ensure your vulvar cancer treatment preserves the cosmetic appearance and function of your vulva. Surgery involves removing the smallest amount of vulva necessary to successfully remove the cancer. When it's necessary to remove lymph nodes, surgeons remove only as many as they need to ensure all the cancer has been removed.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, which recognizes scientific excellence and a multidisciplinary approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

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