According to the American Cancer Society, vulvar cancer accounts for .7% of all cancers in women. At Hoag, our comprehensive, patient-centered approach to treating vulvar cancer is designed to help you stay informed and feel supported throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Our treatments are backed by world-changing research and bold and pioneering methodologies led by a multidisciplinary team. At Hoag, you are not alone.
At Hoag Family Cancer Institute, we treat many types of cancer in many different ways. As a top choice in Orange County, Hoag offers the largest and most comprehensive cancer program in the county. Our world-class teams of top-ranked oncologists, surgeons, scientists, nurse navigators, radiation oncologists, pathologists, therapists, pharmacists, social workers, rehabilitation therapists and more work shoulder to shoulder to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for all of you—body, mind and spirit—every step of the way.
Vulvar cancer is cancer that occurs in the vulva, which is the external female genitalia that surrounds the vaginal opening and urethra and includes the clitoris, labia minora and labia majora. Vulvar cancer is one of the rarest types of gynecologic cancer, diagnosed in only around 5,500 women in the U.S. every year.
There are two main types of vulvar cancer:
In its early stages, vulvar cancer often produces no symptoms, making regular gynecological screening especially important.
Symptoms of vulvar cancer can include:
Like cervical cancer, vulvar cancer can sometimes be caused by an infection by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) a common sexually-transmitted condition. Most people who carry HPV will never develop vulvar cancer. Other risk factors for vulvar cancer can include:
Ways to reduce your risk of developing vulvar cancer include:
If you have symptoms that might suggest vulvar cancer, your doctor will talk to you about the issues you’re experiencing, followed by a pelvic exam or Pap test to check for infection with HPV, which can cause cancer in the vagina or vulva.
If initial tests suggest further investigation, the doctor may refer you for additional tests, including:
As a leading provider of advanced gynecologic care, Hoag treats more women than any other hospital in Orange County. Trust Hoag for your gynecologic cancer treatment.
Our gynecologic cancer specialists and support staff with Hoag Oncology and The Hoag Women’s Health Institute will be there for you following your diagnosis to help you find resources, review your options and make informed decisions at every step of your cancer treatment and recovery.
Treatment options for vulvar cancer depend on many factors, including how advanced the cancer is when detected, your age, other health issues you may have, the size and location of the tumors and whether you wish to have children in the future. Some treatment options Hoag offers for vulvar cancers include:
Robotic-assisted surgery from Hoag, the unmatched leader on the West Coast in the field of robot-assisted, minimally-invasive surgery to help treat gynecologic cancers. Explore robotic surgery at Hoag. There are many conditions and patients that can benefit from Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery including:
Facing surgery can be a frightening prospect, but it is a vital component in the successful treatment of many gynecologic cancers. The Hoag Family Cancer Institute’s medical team includes experienced, fellowship-trained oncologists who utilize the latest techniques and technology in the surgical management of many different cancers found in women, including vulvar and vaginal cancers.
Radical cancer surgery is a surgical procedure in which physicians remove the entire tumor, a margin of normal tissues, and in some cases, nearby lymph nodes. At Hoag, our surgeons have undergone extensive training in radical gynecologic cancer surgery and procedures, including in the areas of:
At Hoag, our team applies a multidisciplinary approach to cancer surgery. Our physicians work together on your care, consulting with colleagues in plastic surgery, anesthesia and other specialties to help patients achieve better outcomes, maintain sexual and urinary function and preserve overall quality of life.
Hoag surgeons utilize the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway, an approach focused on understanding a patient’s specific biology to improve recovery time and pain management. With ERAS, patients become an active participant in their recovery in four key areas:
With ERAS, post-surgical patients require fewer narcotics, suffer from less constipation, are able to return to eating normally sooner and have a recovery period that is, on average, two days faster.
Hoag’s non surgical options, including chemotherapy and radiation therapies, are world-class as well. Hoag Newport Beach was recently named a Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence (RTCoE) by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), a distinction held by only 17 centers in the U.S. including Stanford Health Care, Harvard Medical School and the University of California — San Francisco.
Explore advanced treatment technologies for gynecologic cancers available at Hoag.
Treatment for gynecologic cancer can sometimes impact a person’s ability to conceive and bear a child. If you are considering having children in the future, you can discuss fertility options with your doctor. These may include:
Fertility preservation works best if initiated prior to your cancer treatment. These options, such as egg or embryo freezing, can be completed within approximately two weeks of diagnosis so as not to compromise initiation of your cancer treatment.
To help patients understand the impact of gynecological cancer treatment on their fertility, Hoag has developed a series of questions you can ask your oncologist or fertility specialist .