Vulvar cancer is not very common. However, it is very serious because it can affect a woman’s sexual functioning. It can make sex painful and difficult. This makes some women feel sad and worthless. If found early, vulvar cancer has a high cure rate.
The vulva is the external area of the female reproductive anatomy, and cancers can often be linked to a viral etiology. According to the American Cancer Society approximately 4,490 cases of vulvar cancer will be diagnosed in 2012. Most patients are older than 50 years of age. Surgery is usually the first choice of treatment in this disease, but depending upon the pathology of the surgical specimen, radiation may be required post-operatively to reduce risks of local recurrence, especially in cases of a close surgical margin or positive groin lymph nodes.
Learn more about Radiation Therapy for Gynecologic Cancers