Follow up

Find out about follow up appointments and tests after treatment for vulval cancer.

Why you have follow up appointments

You usually have follow up appointments to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or worries. The appointments also give you the chance to raise any concerns you have about your progress.

What happens?

Your doctor or nurse examines you at each appointment. They ask how you are feeling, whether you have had any symptoms or side effects, and if you are worried about anything. You might also have tests at some visits.

Your doctor will want to monitor you closely to check there are no signs of the cancer coming back. Or if it does come back, to spot it before you have any symptoms. 

Your doctor may also suggest that you examine yourself routinely. This is called self examination. Do speak to your nurse or doctor about this if you have any concerns.

Between appointments

How long you have follow up

If you have had surgery you will be seen about six weeks and then 3 months after your operation.  You are likely to see your specialist every 3 months for the first year and then 6 monthly for the second year.

After 2 years have gone by, if all is well, you may only see your specialist once a year. Vulval cancer and vulval intraepithelial neoplasm (VIN) sometimes come back (recur) after a long time. It is likely you will have follow up for life by a doctor specialising in vulval conditions.