Squamous Cell Vulvar Cancer: Who out there has this cancer?

Is it with X-rays? Or sound like an MRI?

No. It does not bang like an MRI! I have now had four at Mayo in Rochester! You stay in your clothes and you can have whatever type of music playing for you. You are in and out of a tube for about twenty minutes. The only bad part is that they will put you in a dark room for an hour before and infuse you with the radiation dye that will go through your system and identify any cancer. It is the latest and greatest at identifying any cancer anywhere in the body.

Looking for some advice.
I was diagnosed with vulvar cancer 2 yrs ago. 32 rounds of radiation (no surgery) 3 rounds of chemo. As of now no sign of cancer. Still dealing with irritation in that area that comes & first. Any cream suggestions? Also suffering with loss of bladder & bowel control.
Otherwise glad to be alive!
Any feedback would help!

I'm tagging a few other members who also had radiation and chemo for vulvar cancer like @bobette1 @scm @sillywabbit @annie7837 @westnp1 @misstrouble @cjp930 @stolisnc30 @4chickens @mezzojo so that they see your question about tips for dealing with continued irritation in the vulvar area and possible creams that might help.

@andwho, you also mention bladder and bowel incontinence. What steps have been suggested to help with bladder and bowel control?

I had vulvar cancer and lots of radiation. I had bowel prolapse and bladder incontience. I found a brilliant surgeon. She did a temporary illeostomy and then reversed it. Also had a urogyn tighten the ligaments to the bladder (during the same surgery). It all worked! Im not wearing Depends anymore!

Thank you for sharing.
Did you have any irritation and if so what did you use to help?

Oh My!!!! Radiation!!!! And 32 rounds. It is like I want to pass out just hearing about it! My oncologist told me if I no longer react positively to be treated with Imiquimod to treat my Extra Mammary Paget of the vulva, she said No radiation as a course but chemo directly. Not one Dr has the same opinion but that kind of scares me!!!! I put you in my thoughts. Happy Thanksgiving one and all. I am grateful for Mayo Clinic and the way we can safely communicate among us!

Can rectum prolapse be a side effect of pelvic radiation? I had radiation for vulvar cancer over 1 year ago. Any info would be helpful. Oncologists & radiologists don’t prepare you for any side effects!

I have not heard of this happening. Did u contact your Dr? You are so right they don't prepare you for anything. Please keep us posted. I am 2 years post surgery and 1 1/2 years since chemo and radiation.

After 32 doses of Radiation For vulvar cancer I discovered that it has damaged the muscle wall in my vagina. I have a constant feeling of a tampon that needs to come out making it very uncomfortable to sit upright due to my rectum bulging into a pocket in the weak vaginal wall. My Dr. Offered to send me to a surgeon to repair this rectocele but I chose pelvic floor physical therapy as a first step in dealing with the damage. Bowel movements are not too difficult so I’m going to live with it for now. I had no idea that something like this would be a side effect.