Vulval Cancer

Chapter 7: Vulval Cancer

Overview:

• Informs on the signs and symptoms of vulval cancer
• Includes a tabulated summary of the various stages of vulval cancer and possible management plans
• Guides on how to live with vulval cancer
• Addresses common palliative care concerns

Description:

Vulval cancer affects the external female genitalia. It accounts for 1% of all malignancies in women and 4% of all gynaecological malignancies (Gaarenstroom et al. 2003). It is largely a disease of older women, with the mean age of presentation being 70 years. However, vulval cancer does occur in young women, when it is often associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. This chapter focuses on vulval cancer; its presentation, staging, management and more.

Topics:

• Risk factors
• Pre-invasive disease
  • Lichen sclerosis
  • Vulval intra-epithelial neoplasia
  • Paget’s disease of the vulva
• Presentation
• Diagnosis
• Patterns of spread
• Staging
• Management
  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Recurrent disease
  • Follow-up
• Living with vulval cancer
• Palliative care issues

Speaker / Author:

Anne Mellon
Anne is a registered nurse who holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a graduate certificate in gynaecology nursing, a graduate certificate in cancer nursing, and a graduate diploma in cancer nursing. She has worked in gynaecological oncology for 12 years, beginning as a ward nurse at Royal North Shore Hospital (Sydney, Australia). Since 1996, Anne has been the gynaecological oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant at the Hunter Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, John Hunter Hospital (Newcastle, Australia).

Anne is involved in research in gynaecological oncology, with a particular interest in the treatment and care of women with vulval cancer. Anne is an active member of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia and has held various positions in the Hunter Regional Group, including chairperson in 2005–2006.

Professional Reviews: