New cancer

Hi, I've just had surgery for vulva cancer 3 weeks ago. Not feeling great but I am getting there. I had minor day surgery last July to remove a non invasive very small tumour. Unfortunately the cancer re appeared 6 months later and I've now had a radical wide excision and lymph nodes removed. The pain has been manageable and surgery went well but I suspect strongly I'll need radiotherapy which is not the news I wanted. If you have any questions I can help with then feel free to ask. X

Hi Eve11, so sorry to hear this. It’s very difficult, I had a lump removed last July that “surprisingly “ turned out to be cancer. I was diagnosed on 21st August and had been back and forth to doctors since 2022 on this lump. So I was shocked, scared and lacked trust in medical professionals who dismissed my concerns. I had WLE in September and sentinel lymph nodes removed. Thankfully by cancer had not spread, it was 3cm in size so was concerned that it would have spread but now I’m through the surgeries and physically well recovered. I would advise to push for speed in any scans you need and push for speedy results to help with your fear. Once you know the results you can get a treatment plan. If it’s any consultation I was like you last August and know I’m back at work and doing things I love in my spare time. I appreciate now that all anyone has is time, that’s our most important resource. Now I would never give my employer any of my time I’m not contracted for , whereas pre diagnosis I worked way above my hours. Now I go walking or swimming or I write.  I am genuinely enjoying my life more post diagnosis and I get the best out of every single day. I have check ups every 4 months. Where they ultrasound my lymph nodes and I’ve had some counselling from Bupa via macmillan which helped. So reach out to MacMillan and speak to their nurses and get all the support to get you through the most difficult time. Sending you my empathy. Everyone on here gets where you are right now x

Hello Eve11

I really know how you are feeling, having been diagnosed with vulval melanoma in 2023, such a shock to have and rare too.  I have a radical vulvectomy in June 2023, removal of clitoris too, as a precaution, plus bilateral lymph node removal too. The surgery went well and, on my first appointment two weeks after the op. my surgeon was pleased to confirm that all traces of cancer had been removed and, in his opinion, no further treatment was necessary.  I did have some swelling in my groin, which, after an ultrasound scan, was just a build up of fluid from my lymph nodes.  My recovery was good, and any discomfort was controlled by paracetamol, but was by no means as painful as walking pre op.  Further precautionary CT scans have been clear.  I am now on 6 monthly check ups.  
Please get in touch if you have any questions or worries and I will do my best to help.  

So interested to know how all you Vulval Melanoma ladies are doing?. I hope well. I was diagnosed with this in September 2025, it came as an huge shock and my life suddenly flashed before me at the initial prospect of spread, as I had had it a while.
i have just had my second WLE (to obtain a bigger clear margin). I’m on 3-monthly full body CT scans. so far all clear, thankfully. I am also under the specialist Melanoma team at St James in Leeds for monitoring. The plan is to start on localised immunotherapy treatment for 3 months (Aldara) when I’m healed up again, with the aim to clear Melanoma In Situ cells which are present. 

Has anyone else on here had this treatment please that would be willing to share their experiences?

Happy to share my detailed back story running up to the final diagnosis, or any other info, if it helps anyone.

Thank you

Sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, yes it is so frightening when you hear those words.  I was diagnosed in 2023, had a WLE in the June.  Fortunately all my cancer cells , which were in situ, were removed and no further treatment was needed.  Had regular check ups plus CT scan which showed no spread.  I am now on 7 monthly checks which, all being well, will go to yearly after my next appointment in June.

Wishing you well with your treatment and recovery.  Please ask anything you need to.

Thanks for replying, very pleased to hear how well you are doing! Great one WLE op sorted things out and you are being kept a close eye on. Can I ask how you originally presented/what your symptoms were? And how long before you were diagnosed? I had a small itchy sore patch which didn’t go away. After been prescribed vaginal oestrogen cream and hydrocortisone cream for several months they decided best to remove the small troublesome spot so I had a minor op to do this in July 2025. The histology came back (not until September!!) showing modular melanoma and so it was immediate panic stations all round. I had had a previous biopsy back in October 2024 which showed inflammation only (this has since been looked at again by a different pathologist and it seems that MIS was present back then after all). I know I’m now in good hands now and feel lucky that there are no metastasis at the moment, so hopeful for a positive outcome. The WLE’s are not a lot of fun are they?! I’m now an expert on how to manage things .. Videne Sitz baths and Flaminal gel .. not forgetting my trusty donut cushion of course. 

Hello Lisa, I hope you’re doing well. Was yours a squamous cell vulval cancer please? Mine is melanoma and there hasn’t been any talk of radiotherapy.. although I’m starting on some localised immunotherapy when my WLE has healed. My full story is on here, corresponding with Lancashire Lass. Thank you

How are you doing Eve? You have my every sympathy. X

About Ex Lancashire Lass

Thank you! Always good to compare notes