Daughter (29) has severe vulvular dysplasia...

Specialties Oncology

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I worked 10 yrs in OB-GYN, but only had 1 patient with this type of cancer. Her oncologist said that had 6 months more gone by, she would have been untreatable. She has had 2 biopsies with severe dysplasia, & is scheduled for what I think she is describing as a "simple" vulvectomy next wk. The doc said that on a scale of 1-5, she is a 4 1/2 ( with ca being 5). He told her he expects a good outcome. I've not current on this, & can't find info on this for someone of her age group. Do they usually do a lymph node biopsy at this stage? If post op path's are neg or is situ, what would be a "normal" f/u protocol? Am I right in thinking this will be a life long process of f/u & concern? Have they used the HPV vaccine successfully to help decrease progression? She was misdiagnosed for 7 yrs as having herpes, but this apparently is from Condyloma. Do they normally now do this surgery on a 23 hr stay? Would she most likely have a foley on d/c? What is an avg "recovery " time if all goes well with the surgery? I've read the U.of Pa site on staging & treatments, but would appreciate any info any one might have. She is counting on me to ask the "right" questions, & I want to learn as much as I can to help her thru this. This is one of those times being a nurse is not the best thing to calm myself. I don't even know the "right" questions to ask. Do you know of any support group or one that would have info on this? Thanks so much for anything anyone might be able to share to help me help my daughter. It is just so unreal when "it" hits home.

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Originally posted by Nightowl 2:

I worked 10 yrs in OB-GYN, but only had 1 patient with this type of cancer. Her oncologist said that had 6 months more gone by, she would have been untreatable. She has had 2 biopsies with severe dysplasia, & is scheduled for what I think she is describing as a "simple" vulvectomy next wk. The doc said that on a scale of 1-5, she is a 4 1/2 ( with ca being 5). He told her he expects a good outcome. I've not current on this, & can't find info on this for someone of her age group. Do they usually do a lymph node biopsy at this stage? If post op path's are neg or is situ, what would be a "normal" f/u protocol? Am I right in thinking this will be a life long process of f/u & concern? Have they used the HPV vaccine successfully to help decrease progression? She was misdiagnosed for 7 yrs as having herpes, but this apparently is from Condyloma. Do they normally now do this surgery on a 23 hr stay? Would she most likely have a foley on d/c? What is an avg "recovery " time if all goes well with the surgery? I've read the U.of Pa site on staging & treatments, but would appreciate any info any one might have. She is counting on me to ask the "right" questions, & I want to learn as much as I can to help her thru this. This is one of those times being a nurse is not the best thing to calm myself. I don't even know the "right" questions to ask. Do you know of any support group or one that would have info on this? Thanks so much for anything anyone might be able to share to help me help my daughter. It is just so unreal when "it" hits home.

I certainly do not have any answers, however, the following links may provide you with some useful information.

http://web.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/edu/vmy.htm

http://cancer.med.upenn.edu/pdq_html/1/engl/101038-8.html

You can click on the links or copy and paste them into your address bar to go to the site.

I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Also, you can go to google.com (a search engine) and type in information to search for.

[This message has been edited by Level2Trauma (edited April 17, 2001).]

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I just want to let you know that you and your daughter are in my prayers. Recently my brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer and many people from the boards were praying for him. Maybe all the positive thoughts helped because he is doing well and has a good prognosis. I don't quite know what to say (what can you ever say to someone going through such a rough time), but I do hope for the best for your daughter. Please keep us updated on her condition. Stay strong.

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How is your daughter doing? I must say it angers me that the doctors she had misdiagnosed her. So much of what you two are going through could have been prevented if your daughter had the correct dx. I am happy to hear that your daughter has a good prognosis. I just wanted to let you know that the two of you are still in my prayers and I wish you the best.

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Originally posted by Rileycat:

How is your daughter doing? I must say it angers me that the doctors she had misdiagnosed her. So much of what you two are going through could have been prevented if your daughter had the correct dx. I am happy to hear that your daughter has a good prognosis. I just wanted to let you know that the two of you are still in my prayers and I wish you the best.

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