We understand that a vulvar cancer diagnosis can be a challenging and emotional experience. At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we’re here to lift you up, provide guidance and help you make informed decisions about your treatment options. Together, we’ll find the right treatment for your cancer — and for you.
We will create a personalized care plan that helps address your individual needs. Your personalized care plan will include advanced treatments and services, such as nutritional advice, physical rehabilitation and pain management to address your whole journey as a patient.
Miami Cancer Institute’s gynecologic cancer specialists combine medical expertise and compassionate care. Our world-class specialists have access to state-of-the-art technologies and weekly tumor board meetings. There, our gynecologic experts can collaborate on treatment plans to give you the best path forward.
What is vulvar cancer?
Vulvar cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the tissue of the vulva. The vulva includes the opening of the vagina, the inner lips of the vagina (labia minora) and the outer lips of the vagina (labia majora).
Vulvar cancer most often starts in the outer lips of the vagina and forms slowly over several years. It can look like:
- A mole than changes color
- A red, white or brown lesion (it may leak blood or pus)
- A sore or wart that lingers
Additional signs of vulvar cancer include:
- Itching, burning and bleeding on the vulva
- Pain in the pelvis, especially during urination or sex
Types of Vulvar Cancer
There are five main types of vulvar cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinoma — This is the most common type of vulvar cancer. It forms in the squamous cells, which are the primary type of skin cells.
- Adenocarcinoma — This type of cancer starts in glands closest to the opening of the vagina.
- Melanoma — Melanomas start in the cells that produce pigment for the skin. They are more common in sun-exposed areas of skin, but can occur elsewhere.
- Sarcoma — A sarcoma starts in the cells that make up muscles or connective tissue.
- Basal cell carcinoma — This is the most common form of skin cancer. It most often occurs on sun-exposed areas of the skin, but can sometimes occur in other places.
Risk Factors for Vulvar Cancer
The most common risk factor for vulvar cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Doctors believe at least half of vulvar cancers are caused by HPV infection.
You can contract HPV by coming in contact with the mouth, genitals or anus of an infected person. Unfortunately, other than the presence of genital warts, there is no way of knowing whether a sexual partner has HPV.
Other risk factors for developing vulvar cancer include:
- Age — the average age of women diagnosed with vulvar cancer is 70
- Smoking
- Having a history of genital warts
- Being infected with HIV
- Having many sexual partners
- Having sex at an early age
- Having vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) — this is a precancer that can evolve into vulvar cancer
- Having cervical cancer
- Having had melanoma or a family history of melanoma
Vulvar Cancer Prevention
There is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer. However, because most vulvar cancers are caused by infection with HPV, you can reduce your risk for vulvar cancer by using protection (such as a condom) during sex and limiting the number of sexual partners you have.
Condoms cannot provide complete protection against HPV, but they can significantly lower your risk of infection.
You can also lower your risk with the HPV vaccine. This vaccine targets the high-risk types of HPV that cause vulvar cancers. It is not meant for women who are already infected with HPV. Ask your doctor about the vaccine and whether it’s safe for you to receive.
If you smoke, quitting may also reduce your risk for vulvar cancer.
Screening for Vulvar Cancer
Getting regular pelvic exams and Pap tests can help find early signs of vulvar cancer. These exams check for abnormalities in the genital area as well as the organs in the pelvis. If your physician suspects you may have cancer, you will work together on follow-up tests and screenings.
During a pelvic exam, your doctor will check the vagina and vulva for any signs of cancer or disease. They may also conduct an internal exam. During this procedure, your doctor will insert a lubricated finger into the vagina while they feel the lower abdomen with the other hand.
During a Pap smear, your doctor inserts a lubricated instrument into the vagina to widen the opening. Then, they will gently scrape your cervix to collect a sample of mucus. The mucus is sent to a lab where a pathologist checks for abnormal cells or signs of cancer.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about the right time to start regular pelvic exams and Pap tests. How often you should screen will depend on your risk factors, medical history and whether you’ve had an abnormal test result in the past.
