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Cancer - vulva

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Cancer - perineum

Prevention:

Safe sex behaviors may decrease your risk of vulvar cancer. This includes using condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

A new vaccine is available to protect against certain forms of HPV infection. The vaccine is approved to prevent cervical cancer and pre-cancers, but it may help prevent other cancers linked to HPV, such as vulvar cancer. The vaccine is given to young girls before they become sexually active.

Routine pelvic exams can help diagnose vulvar and other cancers at an earlier stage, which improves treatment.

References:

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2006. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society; 2006.

Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Clinical Practice Guidelines: Vulvar cancer. Oncology. 1998;12:275-282.

• Review Date: 9/11/2006
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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