What is vulvar cancer?
Vulvar cancer is a cancer that attacks the outside of the female reproductive system (vulva). This area includes the front of the vagina, vaginal lips (labia), clitoris, and the skin and tissues that cover the pubic bone. Vulvar cancer often attacks the outside of the vaginal lips and rarely attacks the inner vaginal lips and clitoris. This cancer is quite rare compared to other genital cancers, such as ovarian cancer or uterine cancer.
How common is vulvar cancer?
Vulvar cancer is a rare cancer. Less than 1% of all cancers in women who are vulvar cancer usually affect women over 50 years of age.
What are the signs and symptoms of vulvar cancer?
Some common signs and symptoms of vulvar cancer are:
- pain in the vulvar area or pain during sexual intercourse or when urinating
- long itching in the vulva area
- the labia thickens or there is a lump in the labia
- vulva skin changes, such as warts that grow on the vulva
- blood or abnormal fluid discharge outside the menstrual period
There may be some signs and symptoms that are not listed above. If you have concerns about symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
When should I see a doctor?
Usually vulvar cancer does not show initial symptoms. However, visit a doctor if you find:
- lump on the vulva
- itching of the vulva or pain
- bleeding not during menstruation
- changes in the vulva skin such as discoloration
If you don't have vulvar cancer, you can consult a doctor to get a vaccine for HPV (Gardasil). Generally this vaccine is intended for women between 13 and 26 years.
What causes vulvar cancer?
It is not clear the cause of vulvar cancer. Generally, doctors know that cancer starts to have potential when cells develop mutations in DNA. Mutations make cells grow and divide quickly. Cells and their offspring continue to live when other normal cells die. Cells that accumulate form potentially cancerous tumors, attack nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
What increases my risk for vulvar cancer?
Several factors can increase the risk of vulvar cancer:
- increasing age. The risk of vulvar cancer increases with age. On average can be diagnosed at the age of 65 years
- not protected from Human Papllimavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that increases the risk of several cancers, including vulvar cancer and cervical cancer
- smoke
- infected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- have a history of early cancer in the vulva
- have a skin condition involving the vulva
Not having risk factors does not mean you cannot get vulvar cancer. You should consult with your doctor for more information.
What are my treatment options for vulvar cancer?
Treatment depends on the type and size of the cancer and its spread.
For small cancers that are only at one point, laser light can be used to kill skin that contains cancer cells. Surgical removal or simple partial vulvectomy is often used to remove unusual cells and healthy tissue nearby. For large cancers, vulvactomy surgery may be needed. In this operation, all parts of the vulva are removed.
What are the usual tests for vulvar cancer?
Doctors often see an initial change in the vulva on routine pelvic examination. After checking the symptoms, the doctor may request a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. If the biopsy shows cancer, other tests can be done to see how far it spreads.