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

Yes! That is exactly what I mean. So glad you shared this. This is the new “normal “ for me. You live in fear of every twinge you feel. Right now I am having a dull ache either in my hip or sciatic not sure where!
But my pet mri showed nothing. But my mind wanders! Not a healthy way to live! Thank you for sharing & I am thankful to be able to share my feelings on this site🙏

@andwho When I was at Mayo Clinic getting radiation therapy I attended an education session at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Education Center. I learned that once you've been diagnosed with cancer and treated and even when there is no evidence of disease it is normal to have these little twinges that you might conclude - oh, is that cancer? We were shown a film at the Cancer Education Center that was an interview with cancer survivors. One of the cancer survivors said even when he feels a little pain in his toe his mind leaps to - "is this cancer? Is there cancer of the toe?" The information I learned has really stuck with me. The education session helped me to understand that my worries, when they come up, are normal. I don't dwell on the worry. I am able to let it go. My anxiety does ramp up before a cancer surveillance appointment and I've learned that this is normal too.

Is this what you mean about experiencing things you never felt before cancer?

A biopsy will determine pathologically what you have (cancerous, pre cancerous, etc),
A Pet MRI is used to see where cancer is or if it had metastasized anywhere. Do you live in the USA? Even though my Pet MRI came back good I still
Experience things I never felt before cancer. Is that normal?

Could you give a little more details about the Pet MRI? Neither of us have heard of this. Wondering if this is an acceptable way to track improvement after Aldara treatment.
Thanks!

A biopsy is different from the pet mri. The pet mri is used to track the cancer if any. My report came back good no sign of it. Thank god. It still doesn’t change the fact that I will always live in fear. This is the new normal for me! Hope everyone is hanging in there. I can answer any questions anyone has🙏

@andwho - Best wishes with your radiologist appointment.

I second @nomikins Q about the PET MRI...I'm not familiar with that, and what or how it is used in this situation with Vulvar (pre-)Cancers?

Hope to hear from you on how things are since your latest appointment.

So is the PET MRI supposed to be in lieu of biopsies? I’d love to know. Had so many biopsies…

I am 67 & diabetic.
Most of my pet mri results this week were good with the exception of one concern. Hypermetobolic uptake in the rectosigmoid likely physiologic . See my radiologist tomorrow to go over results . So nervous!
Any response!

That is great that your husband understands. I am single so no issues there. That cream we talked about should help with itching too. So glad to hear you are clear at this point. This is your new normal, at least for now. May I ask your age? I am 56 and finding everything takes more time to heal since my treatment.

Thank you!
My issues are the changes to the vulvar area even though no surgery. Skin change, sensitivity, on & off itching. Even no interest in being intimate with my husband. Thank god he ubnderstznds! Just got my 2nd pet mri results after 1 year finishing treatment. All was good. I think I just need to learn to live my life as this is the new me. What do you think?