Personalised treatments designed to fight cancer while minimising side effects.
Vulvar cancer begins in the external female genital organs, most commonly affecting the labia majora and labia minora. It is a relatively rare cancer, but early detection is important as outcomes are significantly better when treated at an early stage. Vulvar cancer can present as squamous cell carcinoma (the most common type), melanoma, or rarer subtypes.
Vulvar cancer is rare in the Philippines compared with more common gynaecologic cancers like cervical and ovarian cancer—but it can still be serious, especially when diagnosed late.
According to the IARC Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022) Philippines fact sheet:
There is no routine screening test for vulvar cancer, so early evaluation of persistent vulvar symptoms or a new lump/lesion is important.
Diagnosis typically involves a pelvic examination and biopsy of any suspicious lesion. Imaging tests such as MRI, CT scans, or PET scans may be used to assess the extent of the disease and whether lymph nodes are involved.
Vulvar cancer is staged from Stage I (localised to the vulva) to Stage IV (spread to nearby organs or distant parts of the body). The stage determines treatment choices and prognosis.
Treatment depends on the stage, type, and overall health of the patient. Options include:
