The U-M Health Rogel Cancer Center's Gynecologic Oncology Program is a team of fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologists providing comprehensive, personalized cancer care. We follow National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to develop treatment plans tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, stage, and goals. As an NCCN founding member institution, we offer access to the latest evidence-based treatments and the most clinical trials available for each disease.

To get the appointment process started, call 734-647-8902. If you are a referring physician, please contact our M-LINE at 800-962-3555. 

If you have questions, please contact our Cancer AnswerLine at 800-865-1125.

There are several different types of vulvar cancer including:

• Squamous cell carcinoma:
  Squamous cells are one of three cell types that create the muscles, skin and nerves in the body. In this case, these are the skin cells. This is the most common form of vulvar cancer.
• Adenocarcinoma:
  Epithelial cells help create the glands in our body; the structures that secrete things like sweat and mucus. In this case, its the Bartholin's glands located at the vaginal opening.
• Melanoma:
  This form of skin cancer develops in the vulva and makes up in about 5% of all cases
• Basal cell carcinoma and other cancers.

• Itching, burning, or bleeding on the vulva that does not go away.
• Changes in the color of the skin of the vulva, so that it looks redder or whiter than is normal for you.
• Skin changes in the vulva, including what looks like a rash or warts.
• Sores, lumps, or ulcers on the vulva that do not go away.
• Pain in your pelvis, especially when you urinate or have sex.

Of all the gynecologic cancers, only cervical cancer has a screening test -- the Pap test.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is available for girls and women. It is recommended for 11- and 12-year-old girls and boys. It also can be given to females who are 13 - 26 who did not get any or all of the shots when they were younger. Ideally, girls should get three doses of this vaccine before their first sexual contact that are 9 to 26 years old. The HPV vaccine protects against most types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer, as well as vaginal and vulvar cancer.

Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and vulvar cancer.

One of the following types of surgery may be done to treat VIN:

• Separate excision of a lesion: A surgical procedure to remove a lesion of concern.
• Wide local excision: A surgical procedure to remove the area of skin affected by VIN and some of the normal tissue around it.
• Laser surgery: A surgical procedure that uses a laser beam (a narrow beam of intense light) as a knife to make bloodless cuts in tissue or to remove a surface lesion such as a tumor.
• Ultrasound surgical aspiration: A surgical procedure to break the tumor up into small pieces using very fine vibrations. The small pieces of tumor are washed away and removed by suction. This procedure causes less damage to nearby tissue.
• Skinning vulvectomy: The top layer of vulvar skin where the VIN is found is removed. Skin grafts from other parts of the body may be needed to cover the area where the skin was removed.

The goal of surgery for vulvar cancer is to remove all the cancer without any loss of the woman's sexual function. 

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward area of the body with cancer.

External radiation therapy may also be used as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. 

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body's natural defenses against cancer.

For more information, please visit Vulvar Cancer Treatment page on the National Cancer Institute's website.