Vulval cancer is often overlooked because its early signs — a persistent itch, lump or sore — are easy to dismiss. Dr. Dipanwita Banerjee brings prompt diagnosis, function-preserving surgery and reconstructive expertise together for women with this less common gynaecological cancer.
Vulval cancer develops in the vulva — the external part of the female genitals, including the labia, clitoris and perineum. It is one of the less common gynaecological cancers, and its early signs are frequently mistaken for minor skin irritation, which can delay diagnosis. There are two broad pathways: an HPV-related pathway more common in younger women, and a pathway linked to lichen sclerosus or vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), more common in older women.
Dr. Banerjee's practice covers the full pathway for vulval cancer: prompt biopsy of suspicious vulval skin changes, staging, surgical treatment including reconstructive techniques, and coordination with radiation and medical oncology for more advanced disease.
Because there is no routine screening test for vulval cancer, awareness of the early warning signs — and prompt evaluation — matters more than for most gynaecological cancers.
The most common early sign is a persistent itch, a lump, an ulcer, or a thickened, discoloured patch of skin on the vulva that does not heal within a few weeks.
Unlike cervical cancer, there is no routine screening test for vulval cancer, so any persistent vulval symptom warrants a prompt clinical examination.
Diagnosis is confirmed by a simple biopsy of the affected vulval skin — the recommended next step for any lesion, itch or ulcer that does not resolve.
Vulval cancer follows two broad risk pathways. In younger women, persistent HPV infection is the key driver, similar to cervical cancer. In older women, it is more often linked to lichen sclerosus or vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) — chronic vulval skin conditions unrelated to HPV.
Other contributing factors include smoking, a prior history of cervical or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, and increasing age. Women with diagnosed lichen sclerosus benefit from regular follow-up, since it modestly raises long-term risk.
From biopsy and staging through to surgery and reconstruction, Dr. Banerjee's vulval cancer practice draws on her surgical oncology training and her focus on preserving function and quality of life.
Surgical treatment is tailored to the size and stage of the tumour — from wide local excision for smaller lesions to radical vulvectomy for more extensive disease.
Dr. Banerjee uses sentinel lymph node biopsy to check whether cancer has spread to the groin lymph nodes, helping avoid more extensive lymph node surgery where it is not needed.
When sentinel or clinical findings indicate spread, she performs groin lymph node dissection as part of comprehensive staging and treatment.
Reconstructive techniques are used wherever possible to preserve vulval function and appearance, minimising the impact of surgery on quality of life.
For locally advanced disease, she coordinates closely with radiation and medical oncology colleagues to plan combined treatment.
For women with lichen sclerosus or VIN, she provides ongoing monitoring to catch any early progression to cancer.
"Committed to bringing the highest standard of gynaecological cancer care — with science, skill, and deep compassion — to every patient who trusts me with their care."