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

Thank you for your response. I will try and call the Dr in the morning. I feel like such a worrywart. other than those lumps I am feeling good. Back to work at both my jobs. Getting stronger every day.

Hi @bobette1, I moved your post to your original discussion here:
- Squamous Cell Vulvar Cancer: Who out there has this cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vulvar-squamous-cell-carcinoma/

I did this so you can easily connect with other women with vulvar cancer like @westnp1 @misstrouble @ljchicago @sillywabbit @jeanadair123 @shanbam @annie7837 @angie0374 @crissyd @stolisnc30 @cjp930 who have joined the discussion.

Bobette, I can imagine that you're scared to feel 2 new areas of concern in your genital (inguinal) lymph nodes. There are many reasons that can cause the lymph nodes to be swollen, like infection or lymphedema from the cancer treatments or something else unrelated to cancer or treatment. It is definitely a reason to contact your cancer care team with your concerns and to find out what needs to be done (if anything).

Can you post a message on a patient portal or contact them in the morning? How are you feeling since completing treatment?

I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation in March for Vulvar cancer. I seem to have 2 new "lumps" down there where my lymph nodes are. Is this normal?

@cjp930 I just read a study where stress is greatly reduced (as measured by cortisol levels) in an experiment where some subjects held the hand of their partner in a committed relationship vs. Held the hand of someone they didn’t know vs. No hand holding. Holding hands with the partner in a committed relationship showed the most reduction of cortisol. So….with your husband at your side? There is scientific evidence that this will be helpful. But you both already knew that, right? He won’t be in the room during your radiation treatments but I’m assuming he can be there during the chemo infusions.

Let me know how the treatments are for you, OK?

Yes that's the schedule. The chemo will be a lower dose to help the radiation work. My husband will be by my side during all this & is a super help. I'm hoping for minimal side effects of nausea, radiation burns, and the bowel problems but am sure no one escapes without any. Praying my body is one that can tolerate this. Thank you for the advice...self care SO important.

Hi @naturegirl5
I start 5/4. It’s 5 weeks of radiation 5 days a week and chemo once a week. They follow you for about 2 years. This trial is the next phase of another trial that showed promise. I’ll keep you all posted.

@stolisnc30 That is a good plan. Do you know when you will start and how long the clinical trial will be?

@cjp930 So for 5 weeks you’ll have chemo and radiation on the first day of the week and then just radiation for the rest of the week? Is that how it will work? It’s an arduous schedule. When I had radiation (no chemo) for 5 weeks for endometrial cancer I decided to make “me” a first priority and do whatever I could to take care of myself. I did not have children at home and I have a partner who is very self-sufficient so I could do that. Can you do something like that too? Or let others take care of you?

Our bodies are all different so we need to do what we feel is best for us. Please do keep me posted. Prayers & positive thoughts to you.

Hi @cjp930 I decided to do the clinical trial. (Groins v iii) Neither treatment was better than the other so I went will the less invasive. I'll keep you posted on how things are going.