Radiotherapy for vulval cancer

External radiotherapy 

External radiotherapy is a treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.  The beams of radiation are aimed at the cancer from a machine called a linear accelerator. Radiotherapy for vulval cancer may be given:

• Instead of surgery if you are not able to have an anaesthetic or are not well enough to recover from surgery
• Before surgery to shrink a tumour
• After surgery to destroy any remaining tumour - this is known as adjuvant treatment
• With chemotherapy to make the treatment work better (chemoradiation)
• To relieve and control symptoms if the cancer is advanced or has come back. For example, to control pain. Radiotherapy can also help to dry up a wound that may be oozing a lot. 

Side-effects of vulval radiotherapy

Short-term possible side-effects 

• Bladder and back passage irritation
• Changes to your bowel habits (constipation or diarrhoea)
• Changes in your bladder habits (frequency and urgency)
• Skin irritation and rashes in the area
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Loss of hair in genital area
• Nausea (rare)

These side-effects usually last for 2 to 4 weeks after treatment.

Longer-term possible side-effects

• Blood in your urine or bowel motions
• Narrowing of the vagina
• Infertility and early menopause

Sometimes side-effects can appear months or even years after treatment.