Gynecologic Cancer

Vulvar Cancer

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

Vulvar cancer forms in the vulva, the area around the external genital organs on a woman. The vulva includes the following parts:

• Labia -- The lips around the opening of the vagina
• Clitoris -- A small mass of tissue at the opening of the vagina
• Bartholin's Glands-- The small mucus-producing glands on either side of the vaginal opening

In most cases, cancer of the vulva affects the labia. Less often, cancer occurs on the clitoris or in Bartholin's glands. Over 90 percent of vulvar cancers are considered a type of skin cancer because they begin in the squamous cells, the main cell type of the skin. They usually develop slowly over many years and in their earliest form are not cancerous.

Vulvar cancer is relatively rare, and typically affects Caucasian women over the age of 60, although the condition can occur in younger women and those of all ethnicities. Other risk factors for the condition include:

• Smoking
• Taking steroids or other drugs that weaken the immune system
• Genital warts caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV)

In most cases, vulvar cancer causes early symptoms. Therefore, if you experience any of the symptoms of the condition, you should visit your doctor immediately. Common symptoms of vulvar cancer may include:

• Vulvar itching that lasts more than one month
• A cut or sore on the vulva that won't heal
• A lump or mass on the vulva
• Unexplained vulvar pain
• Bleeding from the vulva that is different from your usual monthly bleeding
• Burning in the area that lasts even after your doctor has treated the burning
• Any change in size, color or texture of a birthmark or mole in the vulvar area

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007