Vulvar cancer treatment with partial vulva removal

Surgery is considered the primary and most effective treatment for vulvar cancer. Partial vulvectomy involves the removal of part of the vulva and nearby healthy tissues. As a rule, the procedure is performed only under general anesthesia. When you fall asleep, a breathing tube will be inserted through your mouth into the trachea to help you breathe. You will also be fitted with a urinary catheter to remove urine from the bladder. After that, the surgeon will make one or more cuts of the skin and surrounding tissues as a pointed oval in the vulva area. Next, the doctor excises the tumor, subcutaneous fat, and approximately 1 cm of surrounding tissue. Next, the edge of the cut is examined under a microscope. If there are no cancer cells along its borders, this indicates that the tumor has been completely removed. If necessary, the doctor can also remove part of the lymph nodes in the groin. After the operation, the surgeon will apply braces or stitches to the incisions. The breathing tube is usually removed while you are still in surgery. The total duration of the procedure is about 1,5-2 hours. The patient stays in the hospital for some time right after the process.