Vulvar Cancer due to Lichen Sclerosus

Hi Carry On,

Thank you for getting in touch, and welcome to our online community.  My name is Lisa, and I’m one of the cancer information nurses on the support line.   

I’m so sorry to hear about the concerns you are having with regards to your upcoming surgery for vulval cancer and that you are terrified of the wound opening and infection, so I’m pleased that you’ve reached out to us today for support.

It takes time to come to terms with surgery and possible side effects.  As with any operation, there is a risk of problems or complications.  However, your surgeon and the rest of your team will ensure that these potential risks are minimised as much as possible.  If you were to experience any problem following the surgery, treating them as soon as possible is important.

Your surgeon will take a comprehensive medical history, so it’s important to let them know about your history of urinary tract infections and bladder spasms.  It can help to know what to expect when you wake up after your surgery. 

I can understand your concern about the urinary catheter causing a bladder spasm, as you’ve experienced this previously.  It can be difficult when you get the feeling that you want to pass urine naturally; however, while the catheter is in place, try to relax and let the catheter drain the urine.  Try not to push the urine out as it can increase the pressure in your abdomen, which then pushes onto your bladder.  If you were to experience bladder spasms, however, pain medication can be prescribed to help relieve the spasms.

As the catheter is draining the urine from your bladder, it stops urine from coming into contact with your wound, so it helps minimise the risk of an infection.  Having an awareness of symptoms of an infection, however, is important, so that you can seek appropriate advice as soon as possible. Your team will be more specific about what you should be aware of with regards to this.

Caring for your wound is important to prevent infection and breakdown of the wound.  The nurses will clean the area while in the hospital, and they will also teach you how to look after your wound at home, so that you feel comfortable and confident to do so yourself.  A community nurse may also be arranged to visit you at home to help with your wound care and check how it is healing.  The specialist nurses at the hospital where you will have your surgery will give you information about the surgery and about going home and how to look after your vulval area, so it’s important to follow their advice. 

Having additional support at this time can be helpful.  We have a vulva cancer forum on our online community, which is a group to share experiences, get support, and discuss treatment, and The Eve Appeal is a UK charity that can offer additional support for you.

Having an operation is a major event in someone’s life, and it’s understandable that you feel terrified.  Therefore, I’ve included some information from the Royal College of Anaesthetists that may be helpful in preparing your mind before your surgery.

I’m sure you this is a very difficult and scary time for you, but please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again.  You can always give us a call to discuss your concerns further as we’d like to do what we can to offer you support at this time.  We often find that we can help more by exploring these questions over the phone.  You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts.  Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) or send us an email.

Best wishes,

Lisa R, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref/SMJ/LiR