Gynecologic Cancer Treatment Center
Diseases Treated
Vulvar Cancer
Vulvar cancer is an uncommon malignancy, representing approximately 3 to 5 percent of cancers of the female reproductive organs. The most common symptoms are itching and a "lump" on the vulva. Biopsy or removal of the lump and examination of the tissues under the microscope confirms the diagnosis.
The treatment for vulvar cancer is determined by how advanced the cancer is at the time the diagnosis is made. If the cancer is small, it can often be removed safely. The lymph tissues in the groin region are often removed as well to check for spread of the problem. If there is any spread, radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments are often used.
If the cancer is large at the time of diagnosis, radiation treatments are used at the beginning of therapy. Surgery is reserved for removal of any cancer that may remain after radiation treatment is completed.
Learn more about vulvar cancer
Recovering after Vulvar Surgery (PDF)
La recuperación después de una cirugía de vulva (PDF)
This guide explains what to expect during your hospital stay and how to care for yourself when you return home following surgery for vulvar cancer.
Vulvar Cancer Clinical Trial
06-174 A Phase II Trial of Tarceva (erlotinib) in Women with Recurrent Vulvar Cancer
This is for women who have been diagnosed with recurrent vulvar cancer or vulvar cancer that is too advanced to have surgery or radiation therapy.
The purpose of this research study is to learn if erlotinib is effective in treating vulvar cancer. We also wish to determine the safety of erlotinib when given to subjects with vulvar cancer.
Eligibility: Participants on this trial must be at least 18 years old. There must be at least 28 days from active therapy, and must have recovered from that treatment.
Treatment: Erlotinib will be self-administered in an open-label, unblinded manner to all patients enrolled in the study. During the treatment period, patients will receive single-agent erlotinib, 150 mg/day.
To learn more about this clinical trial, please contact one of our Gyn Oncology Research Nurses:
Julie Lee, RN (617) 632-4975
Christin Whalen, RN, OCN (617) 582-7738
Margaret Hill, RN, MS (617) 632-3257
