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Vulvar Cancer
Vulvar Cancer Treatment in Pune
Something doesn’t feel right, and you’re not sure what it is. Maybe it’s a sore that won’t heal, an itch that keeps coming back, or a burning feeling you’ve been ignoring for weeks. Most women brush these signs off as a skin problem. Sometimes, though, they’re the body’s early warning of something more serious.
Vulvar cancer is rare, but when it’s caught early, the chances of a full recovery are excellent. Starting Vulvar Cancer Treatment in Pune early, guided by an experienced vulvar cancer specialist, makes a real difference to the outcome. The one thing you shouldn’t do is wait and watch.
Worried about a symptom that won’t go away? Book a consultation with Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde at Love Your Belly Clinic, Baner. Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde is one of the leading Gyneac Laparoscopic Surgeons and robotic surgeons in Pune, who has specialized in providing treatment for various gynaecological cancers such as ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and vulvar cancer. He has 15+ years of experience in treating various types of gynaecological cancers and complex surgical cases. Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde holds a Fellowship in Gynaecological Oncology from the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, and a Robotic Surgery Certification from the International College of Robotic Surgeons. He has treated over 25,000 patients across Pune and Baner, and practises at Jupiter Hospital, Cloudnine Hospital, Manipal Hospital, and Todkar Hospital.
What is Vulvar Cancer?
Vulvar cancer is a cancerous growth that starts in the vulva, which is the outer part of a woman’s genital area. It is usually diagnosed in women over 50 years of age, but it can occur in younger women too. It’s different from vaginal cancer, which grows inside the birth canal rather than on the outside, and is usually managed by the same vaginal cancer specialist team in Pune There are different types of vulvar cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, melanoma, and sarcoma.
Causes of Vulvar Cancer:
The exact cause of vulvar cancer is not known, but certain risk factors can increase the chances of developing the disease. These risk factors include:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Smoking
- Chronic vulvar itching or irritation
- Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)
- Weakened immune system
- History of genital warts or genital herpes
- Age over 50 years
Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer:
Vulvar cancer is easy to miss because it looks a lot like ordinary skin problems. Many women try creams and home remedies for months before seeing a doctor, and that delay is one of the biggest reasons it gets caught late.
See a doctor if any of these last more than two weeks:
- Itching or burning that doesn’t improve with usual treatment
- A sore, ulcer, or lump that won’t heal
- Thickened, raised, or discoloured patches of skin
- Pain or tenderness in the vulvar area
- Bleeding that has nothing to do with your period
- A wart-like growth or hard lump that stays put
If you notice any of these, get checked by a Gynaec Cancer Surgeon in Baner. Catching it early usually means smaller surgery and a faster recovery.
What Are the Stages of Vulvar Cancer?
Doctors use the FIGO system, a staging method used worldwide, to see how far the cancer has spread. This stage decides the entire vulvar cancer treatment plan.
- Stage I: Cancer stays in the vulva or close to it. No lymph nodes involved. Best outcomes at this stage.
- Stage II: The tumour has grown into nearby areas like the lower urethra, vagina, or anus, but lymph nodes are still clear.
- Stage III: Cancer has reached the lymph nodes in the groin. Treatment usually combines surgery with radiation.
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum, pelvic bone, or other distant organs, needing a combined treatment plan.
Women found at Stage I or II generally do very well, which is exactly why acting early on symptoms matters. The same FIGO-based staging is used closely with Ovarian Cancer Treatment in Pune, since both conditions are managed by the same gynaec oncology team.
Diagnosis of Vulvar Cancer:
Diagnosis starts with a simple physical check and moves to more detailed tests only if something looks unusual.
- Pelvic Exam: Your doctor looks closely at the vulva and vaginal area for any patches, sores, or growths that don’t look normal.
- Colposcopy: If something catches the doctor’s eye, this magnified view helps study the spot in much closer detail than a regular exam allows.
- Biopsy: A small tissue sample is taken from the area and tested in a lab. This is the only way to know for certain whether it’s cancer.
- Imaging Tests (CT, MRI, or PET scan): These scans show whether the cancer has stayed in one place or reached nearby tissue and lymph nodes, which helps decide the right treatment plan.
What Are the Treatment Options for Vulvar Cancer in Pune?
Treatment depends on the stage, where the cancer is, and your overall health. Most vulvar cancer surgery in Pune today combines one or more of these approaches:
Surgical options
- Wide Local Excision: removes the tumour with a small margin of healthy tissue, used for small, early lesions
- Partial Vulvectomy: removes only the affected part of the vulva
- Radical Vulvectomy: removes the entire vulva, needed for advanced cases
- Lymph Node Surgery: removes groin lymph nodes if cancer has spread there
- Robotic-Assisted Surgery: offers more precision, less blood loss, and a faster recovery in select cases, performed by a trained Gynaec Robotic Surgeon in Pune
Non-surgical options
- Radiation Therapy: shrinks a tumour before surgery, or clears remaining cells after it
- Chemotherapy: usually combined with radiation for advanced or spread-out cancer
- Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy: newer options for specific cancer types or when cancer returns
Not sure which treatment is right for you? Talk it through with Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde before deciding anything.
Why Choose Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde for Vulvar Cancer Treatment in Pune?
When the diagnosis is cancer, your surgeon’s experience matters more than almost anything else. Not every gynaecologist is trained to operate on cancer. It takes specialised training, the right hospital setup, and real hands-on experience with complex cases.
Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde holds a Fellowship in Gynaecological Oncology from the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute and a Robotic Surgery Certification from the International College of Robotic Surgeons. With over 15 years of experience and more than 12,000 surgeries, Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde brings specialist-level care to every patient he treats.
- Over 25,000 patients treated across Pune and PCMC
- Available at Jupiter Hospital, Cloudnine Hospital, Manipal Hospital, and Todkar Hospital, Baner
- Member of FOGSI and AGOI, India’s leading gynaecology associations
If you’re looking for vulvar cancer treatment in Pune from a surgeon who treats this condition regularly, not occasionally, Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde and his team at Love Your Belly Clinic, Baner, are ready to help.
Book An Appointment
Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde is one of the leading Gynaec Cancer Surgeons in Baner, with more than 15+ years of experience. He is specialized in gynaecological cancers, robotic surgery, and complex onco-surgical cases. For more information about vulvar cancer and treatment options, or to book an appointment with the best vulvar cancer treatment in Pune, call +91 8797229722 or click on Book Appointment for online booking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Yes. Stage 1 and stage 2 vulvar cancer have very high cure rates, often above 85%, when treated with surgery alone or surgery plus radiation. Catching it at this stage usually means a simpler procedure and a much smoother recovery.
Once vulvar cancer spreads, it usually reaches the groin lymph nodes first, then nearby organs like the bladder or rectum, and in advanced cases, distant parts of the body. Spread changes the treatment plan, often adding radiation or chemotherapy.
No. Vulvar cancer affects the outer genitals, including the labia and clitoris, while vaginal cancer grows inside the birth canal. Both are rare, often linked to HPV, and treated by the same specialist, but they’re not the same condition.
Stage 4 vulvar cancer is harder to treat, but outcomes vary widely by case. Data from international cancer registries show around 19% five-year survival once the cancer reaches distant organs, though early treatment and individual response can change this significantly.
Dr. Kunaal K. Shinde is a leading vulvar cancer specialist in Pune, performing surgery at Love Your Belly Hospital, Baner, along with associate hospitals like Cloudnine Hospital and Manipal Hospital.