Treatment for vulval cancer

Your treatment depends on a number of factors including how big the cancer is, whether it has spread anywhere else in your body and your general health. A team of doctors and other professionals discuss the best treatment and care for you.

The most common treatment for vulval cancer is surgery. 

Treatment options for vulval cancer

The main treatments for vulval cancer are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery for vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)

Surgery is a common treatment for VIN. You usually have a type of surgery called a wide local excision. 

Surgery for vulval cancer

Surgery is the main treatment for vulval cancer. The type of surgery you need depends on where the cancer is in your vulva.

Radiotherapy for vulval cancer

Radiotherapy is a possible treatment for vulval cancer. It uses high energy waves similar to x-rays to kill cancer cells. Read about when and how you have radiotherapy for vulval cancer.

Chemotherapy for vulval cancer

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for vulval cancer. You usually have it in combination with radiotherapy. Common chemotherapy drugs include cisplatin and 5FU. 

Follow up after vulval cancer treatment

After treatment for vulval cancer, you might have follow up appointments every 3 months. This is usually at the hospital with your doctor or specialist nurse (CNS).

Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also called prehabilitation or prehab.

Last reviewed: 
01 Dec 2022
Next review due: 
01 Dec 2025