Treatment of Vulvar Melanoma
Vulvar melanoma starts on the skin of the vulva. A partial vulvectomy (surgery to remove the tumor and a rim of healthy tissue around it), along with lymph node removal is the usual treatment for melanoma on the vulva. In some cases, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy may also be used. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Treatment options depend on:
- How deep the melanoma is
- Where it is on the skin of the vulva
- Whether it's ulcerated (an open sore)
- Spread to lymph nodes
The cancer stage and the woman's age and personal preferences are also key.
If the melanoma has spread outside the vulva, other treatments may be needed. More on treatment of vulvar melanoma can be found in Melanoma Skin Cancer.
Last Revised: January 16, 2018
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