Tests after a vulval cancer diagnosis

You may have more tests after your diagnosis to find out:

• How large is the cancer?
• Where exactly is the cancer?
• Has the cancer spread to any other parts of your body?

This is called staging. Staging tests for vulval cancer include:

• CT scan: A special type of X-ray to give a picture of the tissues inside your body
• MRI scan: This is a scan that uses magnetic energy to build up a picture of the tissues inside your body. During the scan you will lie inside a tunnel-like machine. 
• PET scan: Using a radioactive injection that will show up any cancer spread to other parts of your body on a scan picture.  

Other possible tests:

• Colposcopy and pelvic examination:  A colposcopy is a test where a camera is used to look at your cervical area.
• Cystoscopy: A small tube with a light passed into your bladder to look at the bladder lining, usually under general anaesthetic. This is because sometimes vulval cancer can spread into the bladder.