Facts About Vulvar Cancer

Understanding Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer appears as a lesion or ulcer on the external genitalia, or vulva. Cancer of the vulva is rare. It most often occurs in women older than age 60 and may often be found during periodic pelvic exams after menopause.

Most vulvar cancers are a type of skin cancer. But occasionally, a tumor in the vulva may arise from glandular structures in that part of the body. When vulvar cancer is detected early, it is highly curable. The overall five-year survival rate when the lymph nodes are not involved is 90 percent.

Types

Most cancers of the vulva and vagina are a type of skin cancer. In their earliest form, they are precancer also called dysplasia.

Symptoms

Some people report itching, pain, or bleeding, while others say they have no symptoms.

Diagnosis

Regular gynecologic exams, no matter what your age, help ensure that vulvar cancer will be detected early. Early diagnosis increases your chances of a cure, and it means less disfiguring surgery as well.

Your physician will recommend a biopsy of any lesions that look like they could be cancerous. Tissue samples from your cancer will be removed either in the clinic or during surgery, and examined by a pathologist. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center has a dedicated pathologist who only works with gynecologic cancer patients.

Types of Treatment for Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer is cancer of the external female sexual organs. Most often, it is a type of skin cancer. It is a fairly rare disease, affecting only about one-half of one percent of all American women who are diagnosed with cancer each year. If detected early, before it has spread to the lymph nodes, the chances of a cure are quite high, 90 percent or better.

Treatment for Vulvar Cancer

Stages

Stage 0 – Pre-cancerous stage, also known as dysplasia
Stage I - Cancer is local to the vulva, less than 2cm (1 inch) in size
Stage II – Cancer is local to the vulvar, greater than 2cm (1 inch) in size
Stage III – Cancer has spead to local tissues, such as the urethra or vagina, or is in lymph nodes
Stage IV – Cancer has spread to lymph nodes in both groins, or has spread distantly, such as to the lungs

Risk Factors

The causes of the type of vulvar cancer that affects older women (ages 70s to 90s) is unknown. Diabetes and chronic vulvar irritation are possible risk factors.

Vulvar cancer related to HPV (the same virus that causes cervical cancer) is on the rise among younger (30s to 60s) American women and accounts for about half of all cases of vulvar cancer.

People who smoke, are immune-suppressed or have a history of abnormal Pap smears are at risk for this type of vulvar cancer. About 70 to 80 percent of the younger people diagnosed with vulvar cancer are smokers. Some women report itching, pain, or bleeding, while others say they have no symptoms.

Fred Hutch has researched and treated Vulvar Cancer for decades.

Learn More

Resources

There are many resources online for learning about your disease. We’ve compiled a list of trusted sources to help you get started.

If you or your caregiver are seeking additional information or resources, Fred Hutch Patient and Family Resource Center is available to help connect you with what you need.