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If vulvar cancer spreads

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Vulvar
  5. If cancer spreads
Print

Cancer cells can spread from the vulva to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your healthcare team plan your treatment and future care. If vulvar cancer spreads, it can spread to the following:

  • lymph nodes in the groin (called inguinal nodes) on the same side of the body as the tumour or to the lymph nodes on both sides of the groin
  • vagina
  • urethra
  • bladder
  • anus
  • rectum
  • the pubic bone
  • lymph nodes in the pelvis
  • lung
  • bone
  • liver

Expert review and references

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology. Vulvar Cancer. 2015.
  • Klopp AH, Eifel PJ, Berek JS, Konstantinopoulos PA. Cancer of the cervix, vagina and vulva. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 72:1013-1047.
  • Levine DA, Dizon DS, Yashar CM, Barakat RR, Berchuch A, Markman M, Randall ME. Handbook for Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2015.
  • National Cancer Institute. Vulvar Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) Health Professional Version. 2017. https://www.cancer.gov/types/vulvar/hp/vulvar-treatment-pdq#section/all.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.

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