Side effects of vulvar cancer surgerycreated at May 05, 2009The consequences of curative surgery can be psychologically devastating, as vulvar surgery can result in lifelong anatomic alterations. Sexual dysfunction is common because of loss of clitoris in some clinical situations and in general because of alteratio... |
Side effects of vulvar cancer surgery | |||
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The consequences of curative surgery can be psychologically devastating, as vulvar surgery can result in lifelong anatomic alterations. Sexual dysfunction is common because of loss of clitoris in some clinical situations and in general because of alteration in body image. Lower extremity lymphedema (leg swelling) can occur, causing difficulty walking, pain, recurrent infections and disfigurement. Therefore, all therapy includes pretreatment counseling about sexual and physical function. If the cancer has spread outside the vulva and the other female organs, the doctor may take out the lower colon, rectum or bladder (depending on where the cancer has spread), along with the cervix, uterus and vagina (pelvic exenteration). Physicians have developed ways for patients to store and eliminate wastes after these procedures, and it is sometimes possible to reconstruct or reattach these organs so no external appliances are needed. A patient may need to have skin from another part of the body added (grafted) and plastic surgery to make an artificial vulva or vagina after these operations. Tags: Behavioral Scientist Breast Tissue CIN 2 Colone-Rectal Cancer Curative Surgery Devastating Disfigurement Disfigurment External beam radiation Fallopian Female Organs Genetic Aspect Leg Swelling Lifelong Anatomic Alterations Lithium Liver Lymphedema Menstrual Bleeding National Cancer Institute Pelvic Extenteration Pelvis Plastic Surgeru Plastic Surgery Pretreatment counseling Pretreatment counselling Recurrent Infections Sexual dysfunction Stool Vaginal Medicines Valva Cancer Vulvar Cancer Vulvar Surgery Walking | |||
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