Vulval cancer

​​​​​​​Emergency

If any of the following are suspected, seek emergency medical advice or refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary)

  • Advanced infection associated with necrotic or ulcerative vulval lesion
  • Febrile neutropaenia during chemotherapy treatment
    Note: contact medical oncologist or treating team following emergency department presentation
  • Urinary retention resulting from advanced known malignancy

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • ​Nil

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.

  • High suspicion of vulval cancer
  • Histologically confirmed vulval malignancy
    Note: for optimum care, patient should be reviewed within 2 weeks
  • Paget's disease
  • Signs or symptoms indicating possible cancer recurrence in patients with a history of vulval cancer
  • Unexplained vulval lump, ulceration or bleeding​
​Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.
  • ​Nil​

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

  • Nil

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition, including symptoms and their duration
  • Clinical photography or diagram indicating location of lesion or biopsy site (only if complete excision was made for diagnostic purposes)
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • Past medical, surgical, obstetric and psychosocial history
    • Family history (where relevant)
    • Hormonal contraception use
    • Height, weight and body mass index
    • Pelvic examination findings
    • Full blood count (FBC)
    • Urea, Electrolytes, Creatinine (UEC)
    • Liver function tests (LFTs)
    • Blood glucose levels (BGLs)
    • Most recent cervical screening test or co-test
    • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination history
    • Diagnostic pathology reports, including pathology provider and accession number
    • Diagnostic imaging reports, including imaging provider and accession number

If available

  • ​​Nil

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.​

Current as at: Monday 23 March 2026
Contact page owner: System Purchasing