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Path to Vulvar Cancer (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion)
Anyone have the diagnosis HSIL prior to vulvar cancer? Just wondering how to manage the pain of the lesion(s). Supposedly "not cancer" yet, but something that hurts this badly has to be something. Excision will tell the story. All I can say is, never assume you just have vaginal dryness from an AI
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I am here two years after having a radical vulvectomy for vulva melanoma. I had a biopsy in Chicago and when it came back melanoma, I contacted the gynecologic department at Mayo and told the nurse about the biopsy. She got me in within three days and Dr. Bekkum took out the tumor that day. Once out, another biopsy of the tumor showed it had spread so I had a radical vulvectomy three weeks later. No spread to lymph nodes. I have a pet scan or ct scans every ninety days and all clear. Never had chemo or radiation as the melanoma had not spread beyond the vulva. My advice is to go to Mayo and ask for Dr. Bekkum in gynecology. Her entire team has been wonderful!!!
If you have a lesion, get it out!! Forget the cream!
@irenemargaret - These experiences definitely make you question the medical care we are receiving. I have been repeatedly told how "rare" vulvular cancer is - maybe this is the reason for all of the misinformation.... All I know is that it made an already stressful situation worse. I thought seeking a female gynecological oncologist would make it easier. Unfortunately it did the opposite. When I asked if there were alternatives to removing "everything," I was told "I am a surgeon, I cut, it's what I do...." That in itself is horrifying. They certainly can't put it back if they take something they should never have removed. I found both of them to be blunt, callous and unfeeling when delivering totally life-altering news.