What it is

Vulvar cancer is a rare type of gynecologic cancer that develops on the external female genitalia (labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, or vaginal opening). It may begin as precancerous lesions such as vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) before progressing into invasive cancer.

Vulvar cancer care refers to the complete medical management—from diagnosis to treatment and recovery—of women with this condition. In Korea, vulvar cancer care is highly advanced, integrating surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, reconstructive options, and holistic support in specialized women’s cancer centers.

➡️ Key facts about vulvar cancer care:

• Early diagnosis offers high cure rates
• Surgery is the mainstay treatment, sometimes combined with radiation or chemotherapy
• Korean hospitals focus on both cancer control and quality-of-life preservation

Why it’s done

Vulvar cancer can significantly impact physical comfort, emotional well-being, and sexual health. Treatment is performed to remove cancer, prevent recurrence, and restore quality of life.

✔️ Medical reasons for treatment include:

• Persistent vulvar lesions, ulcers, or growths
• Chronic itching, burning, or pain unresponsive to routine care
• Unexplained bleeding or discharge not linked to menstruation
• Cancer confirmed by biopsy
• Preventing spread to lymph nodes or other organs

✔️ Benefits of comprehensive vulvar cancer care:

• Eliminates or controls tumor growth
• Reduces recurrence risk with proper follow-up
• Preserves as much normal tissue as possible
• Improves emotional and sexual health outcomes

Alternatives

Although standard medical care is essential, certain alternatives or complementary approaches may be part of the care plan.

🔹 Non-surgical options for precancer (VIN):

• Laser therapy or topical treatments like imiquimod cream
• Close follow-up for progression detection

🔹 Minimally invasive surgery:

• Local excision instead of radical surgery for small lesions

🔹 Palliative care for advanced cases:

• Pain control, emotional support, and quality-of-life measures

🔹 Lifestyle and supportive therapies:

• Healthy nutrition, stress reduction, and counseling
• Complementary care that supports, but does not replace, medical treatment

Preparation

Preparation ensures safe and effective treatment.

➡️ Medical preparation:

• Biopsy to confirm cancer diagnosis
• Imaging (MRI, CT, PET) for staging and spread evaluation
• Lymph node assessment to determine if cancer has metastasized
• Blood tests and anesthesia evaluation if surgery is planned

➡️ Personal preparation:

• Discussing treatment goals (curative, fertility-preserving, or palliative)
• Preparing for possible changes in body image or intimacy
• Arranging for hospital stay and family support

➡️ Mental preparation:

• Counseling to address anxiety, fear, or trauma related to diagnosis
• Emotional readiness for surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
• Support networks encouraged for resilience during treatment

How it’s done

Vulvar cancer care in Korea is stage-specific and involves a multidisciplinary approach.

✔️ Step 1 – Surgery (main treatment)

• Wide local excision: Removes cancer with surrounding healthy tissue margin
• Vulvectomy (partial or radical): Removes part or all of the vulva depending on spread
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy or lymphadenectomy: Determines if cancer has spread to groin lymph nodes

✔️ Step 2 – Radiation therapy

• Applied if cancer has spread to lymph nodes or surgical margins are unclear
• External beam radiation used to target pelvic and groin areas

✔️ Step 3 – Chemotherapy

• Often combined with radiation (chemoradiation) in advanced stages
• Drugs like cisplatin are commonly used

✔️ Step 4 – Reconstructive and supportive care

• Reconstructive surgery may be done to restore appearance and function
• Pelvic therapy, sexual counseling, and psychological support included

✔️ Duration:

• Surgery: 2–4 hours, with hospital stay of 3–7 days
• Radiation or chemo: several weeks to months depending on treatment cycles

Recovery

Recovery depends on the type and stage of treatment.

➡️ Immediate recovery:

• Pain, swelling, or wound discomfort post-surgery
• Skin irritation, fatigue, or nausea with radiation/chemo

➡️ Physical recovery:

• Light activities in 2–4 weeks after surgery
• Full healing in 6–8 weeks (longer for radical procedures)
• Side effects from radiation or chemo managed with supportive therapies

➡️ Emotional recovery:

• Concerns about intimacy and body image are common
• Counseling and support groups available in Korean hospitals
• Many women regain confidence with reconstructive and supportive care

➡️ Key recommendations:

• Maintain proper vulvar hygiene and wound care
• Use pain relief and sitz baths for comfort
• Attend regular follow-up visits every 3–6 months
• Seek counseling to manage anxiety or depression

Treatment option in Korea

Korea is internationally recognized for its gynecologic oncology expertise and advanced cancer care facilities.

✔️ Hospital facilities:

• Specialized cancer centers with dedicated gynecologic oncology units
• Advanced surgical systems, reconstructive capabilities, and precision radiation technology
• Comfortable recovery facilities with supportive care

✔️ Medical expertise:

• Surgeons skilled in complex vulvar surgeries with tissue-sparing approaches
• Multidisciplinary teams including oncologists, radiologists, reconstructive surgeons, and counselors
• High success rates with integrated care

✔️ Post-treatment care:

• Structured follow-up for recurrence monitoring
• Pelvic rehabilitation and reconstructive options to restore comfort and function
• Emotional and sexual health counseling for recovery of confidence and intimacy

✔️ Cultural aspect:

• Korean healthcare emphasizes privacy, dignity, and holistic recovery
• Family-centered care is encouraged, and women often receive strong emotional support
• Recovery centers (similar to Sanhujoriwon) provide nutrition, rest, and psychological healing for cancer patients

➡️ Highlight: Vulvar cancer care in Korea offers state-of-the-art surgical expertise, advanced radiation/chemotherapy, reconstructive solutions, and holistic support, ensuring women receive world-class treatment while preserving dignity, comfort, and quality of life.