What to Know About Your Treat... Health Article
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Your treatment options depend on the type of vulvar cancer you have, the results of lab tests, and the stage of the cancer. Your doctor will also consider your age and general health when making recommendations about treatment. The goal of treatment is to cure you, which is possible in many cases. If it is not possible, then your doctor will try to control the cancer for as long as possible and keep you comfortable. It’s normal to want to learn all you can about vulvar cancer and your treatment choices. You probably have many questions and concerns. Your doctor is the best person to answer your questions about your treatment, how successful it is expected to be, and what the risks and side effects may be.
Types of Treatment for Vulvar Cancer
Treatment for vulvar cancer is either local or systemic. Local treatments remove, destroy, or control the cancer cells in a certain area. Surgery and radiation are examples of local treatments. They are the most common treatments for vulvar cancer. Systemic treatments are used to destroy or control cancer cells throughout the entire body. When taken by pill or injection, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment sometimes used for vulvar cancer. You may have just one treatment or a combination of these treatments.
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Surgery removes the cancer while keeping as much surrounding normal tissue as possible.
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Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells.
Doctors are always looking for new ways to treat vulvar cancer. These new methods are tested in clinical trials. Before beginning treatment, ask your doctor if there are any clinical trials you should consider.