Stage 1

Stage 1 vulval cancer means it is only present in the vulva.

What is it?

In stage 1, the cancer is found only in your vulva, or in the vulva and perineum. The perineum is the space between the anus and the vagina. There is no sign cancer in the lymph nodes.

Stage 1 is divided into stages 1A and 1B.

Stage 1A cancer is both of the following: 

• 2cm or less in size
• has only grown 1 millimetre or less into the skin and tissues underneath

Stage 1B cancer is:

• more than 2cm across OR
• has grown more than 1 millimetre into the skin and tissues underneath

The lymph nodes

Stage 1A cancer means you won't need surgery to check if cancer has spread into your lymph nodes.

For a stage 1B cancer, your specialist will want to check for possible spread to your lymph nodes.