Stages, types and grades of vulval cancer

There are a number of different types of vulval cancer. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma.

Vulval melanoma is a rare type of cancer. It develops from the cells in the skin that produce pigment. These are called melanocytes. You usually have surgery as a treatment for vulval melanoma.

The stage and grade of a cancer helps your doctor decide which treatment you need. In the UK, doctors usually use the FIGO system to stage vulval cancer.