Understanding the Stages of Vulvar Cancer
Before deciding on treatment options, your doctor will need to know the extent, or stage, of the vulvar cancer. The stage of cancer tells how much and how far the cancer has spread, and is one of the most important factors in deciding what treatment is best. By using exams and tests, a doctor can tell the stage of vulvar cancer. Most cancers of the vulva are stages I and II. This is because most women notice the cancer before it has had a chance to spread.
Stage 0. During this stage, the cancer is a preinvasive disease called severe dysplasia, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), or carcinoma in situ (CIS). This means that the lesion is still on the surface of the vulva and has not invaded more deeply. If detected early and treated, this stage cancer should be curable.
These are the stages of invasive vulvar cancer.
Stage I. Cancer is only in the vulva or the space between the opening of the rectum and the vagina, called the perineum, or both. The tumor is 2 cm or less in size. The lymph glands and other sites do not contain cancer.
Stage II. Cancer is in the vulva or the perineum, or both. The tumor is greater than 2 cm. The lymph nodes and other sites do not contain cancer.
Stage III. Cancer is found in the vulva or the perineum, or both. It has spread to nearby tissues such as the lower part of the tube through which urine passes, called the urethra, the vagina, and the opening from the rectum called the anus. It also may have spread to nearby groin lymph nodes. It has not spread to distant parts of the body.
Stage IV. Cancer has spread beyond the urethra, vagina, and anus into the lining of the bladder and the intestine. It may have also spread to lymph nodes on both sides of the pelvis, the groin, or to other parts of the body.
Recurrent. The cancer has come back after it has been treated. It may come back in the vulva or another place in the body.