Vulvar Cancer? Something else? - Cancer: Breast Message Board

SusanH · 05-09-2001, 02:31 PM

I am in hopes that someone has had the same symptom and can respond.

About 6 weeks ago, I woke up to discover a blister toward the top of my labia minora (sp?). This was after a particularly vigorous night of sex with my husband, so I attributed the blister to rigorous sex. The blister slowly diminished in size and was gone in 7-10 days, however in its place remains a tiny "pustule" (actually it looks exactly like a pinpoint-sized whitehead that teens get on their faces.)

I have no burning, itching, or any other negative symptoms other than slight soreness at times which seems to arise after lots of movement, possibly caused by constant friction of the whitehead being rubbed against by the labia.

I am a 40-year-old with no history of medical problems other than a LEEP procedure for an abnormal PAP three years ago. I have yearly GYN check-ups and within the past year had a complete blood work-up by my GP...all was within normal limits. I do not have herpes.

My yearly GYN exam is coming up in a couple of weeks, so I will be getting seen, however, I've been worrying for a while about the possiblity of what this could be. I've just about made myself sick reading all about vulvar cancer!

I know there are other possible diagnoses that I will receive, one of which is a sebaceous cyst. I'm trying to be positive.

Has anyone ever had a single "pimple/whitehead" on the vulva?

DianaJ · 06-05-2001, 08:37 AM

Hi,
I hope your scheduled appointment went well. I wanted to tell you about my sister who had a similar symptom about 2 years ago. She was told it was nothing and not to worry about it. She went a year later for her annual and they said the same thing. The "sore" got a bit worse, but they insisted it was nothing to worry about. It finally started to interfere tremendously with her sex life and she asked that it be removed for cosmetic reasons and they agreed. The surgeon looked at it and he too said it was nothing. She had the surgery to remove it right before Thanksgiving of 2000. Two weeks later was informed that they had biopsied it and it was in fact cancer. She since had a large portion of her vulval area removed and the lymphs in the groin on both sides. When they had done the first surgery, thinking it was nothing they didn't get clear margins!
My advice would be to insist this be removed!
It is better to be safe than sorry. My sister is 45.
Hope this helps!

marieparsh · 06-11-2001, 08:33 PM

last june I was dx with vulvar cancer and am 38,i had several operations the last being a skinning vulvaectomy and removal of my anus and all was replaced with skin from my thigh.
To make a long story short,id suggest you run not walk to your next apt and get a biopy right away.Alot of dr have never seen vulvar cancer and dont know what it is and have often made a mistake.Get a biopy we'll all feel better too

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MARIE

marieparsh · 06-11-2001, 08:53 PM

I'm 38 and surviving vulvar cancer that had spread to my rectom.I had a skinning vulvaectomy and removal of my anus.All skin was replaced and reconstructed from skin from my thigh.
I would suggest you get it checked asap.you need to have it biopyed right away the only sure way to know or rule out vc.If you smoke or have hpv these two are dangerous combo and you should not wait.

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MARIE

Tara1 · 06-22-2001, 07:46 PM

I wanted to ask, is there any way to tell you have vulvar cancer or does you Dr have to see it. I wanted to know because I am very paranoid and like to do my own self exams as well.