Hello,

That is exactly where mine was!!

They just removed my dime size area and did not get clear margins so they went back and took more. Mine was a mini surgery. But they took about a quarter sized area. I had mine done under local while awake. I do not recommend that to anyone. I was not given a choice. Needless to say I dropped that lousy Doctor. Best to have it done asleep in an OR.

It hurt for a while but not severe, also got a small infection at the incision area and had to take antibiotics. My discomfort was easily managed but everyone is different. I took 800 of Motrin every 3 to 4 hours. You may need stronger pain medication. I am allergic to most pain meds.

My scar after a year looks well healed and only a Doctor could really tell. I look at it frequently as instructed by my Oncologist to make sure my cancer is not coming back.

They should give you instructions when you leave. Go to GynGals at Yahoo. I am on that board. They have post surgical instructions in their files. Ask to join the private group.

Much love to you..... It has been a year for me and I remember how scared I was.

Oleander

Hi, Oleander,
Thank you so much for responding and caring! I've never talked to anyone before with this condition, and to know you have recovered from it in the same area is so reassuring and comforting. I hope you continue to do well!
That sounds awful only having local anesthesia and having to be awake for the surgery. I'm glad I won't be awake for it!

Mine is a strange shaped lesion... really 2 lesions joined in the center, sort of like a butterfly in that area, I think around the size of a quarter totally. That is good your pain wasn't too severe and could be managed with Motrin.

Thanks also for telling me the scar is well healed. Do you mind if I ask if sitting down for long periods is difficult/painful? I am a kitchen designer, laid off for about a year, but need to continue my job search and hopefully return to kitchen design, which involves alot of sitting.

Best wishes and thanks so much... it meant so much to hear from you! Hopefully we won't have this return and will stay healthy!

Hugs and thanks again!

MaineCoonCatLover

Mine was a lavender to blue colored round spot. It never hurt or itched... it was not raised. It just appeared out of nowhere. I knew when I saw it something was not right.

After the surgery I could sit okay and actually standing sometimes made it worse.

I was initially told all kinds of things like it would be a recurring issue, I would have itching, redness, I could go on. Luckily for me it has done none of that.
Also good to know if you are HPV positive or negative. I am negative and was actually told that being negative the cancer could be more aggressive.

You will also see it called different names. My first Path report called it Bowen's disease and Squmaous Cell Carcinoma in situ.
My 2nd one said I had Squamous Cell Carcinoma grade 3 and Bowen's. Then my 3rd one said SCC grade 3, Bowen's and VIN111.

Make sure to get a copy of your Original Path report and the one from surgery also.

You are going to do just fine. Please let me know how you do. Oleander

You are wonderful to respond and help! I have never met anyone else with this condition, and although reading medical information online is helpful, there is nothing like hearing from a real person who has been through all this. That is wonderful that so far you have had no recurrence... hopefully that will continue!
That is great advice to ask for the path reports, which I'll do. Tomorrow is the prehospital visit and meeting with the anesthesiologist, some tests, etc.... and the big day is Thursday morning. I'm sure I'll be fine but just want it over with and to be healed.
The only symptom I had was some mild occasional stinging, not enough to send me to the doctor...although I wish now I had gone then! I had my regular annual pap test/pelvic exam on my 61st birthday, and when the Dr. began the exam, I said "Oh by the way, while looking do you see any tear or anything.. .I've had a bit of stinging". As soon as he looked, he knew there was a problem... 2 lesions that he biopsied, and I could tell he was worried. He was great about getting the results back to me, and referring me to a local gyn. onc., and said he was thankful it was VIN3 and not worse. He said he was convinced visually that is was worse. I feel luck it was caught when it was.
Thank you so much for the support and great advice! I hope you will have a good week!
MaineCoonCatLover

I'm in your same boat! Diagnosed with Squamous Cell on vulva - surgery on Thursday. I am amazed that the drs (gyn omcologist and regular oncologist) have told me nothing. Just a quick removal and that's that. No discharge instructions - no idea of what to expect. Thank you for being on this page and for the info.