Vulvar Cancer Summary Vulvar cancer is a rare type of cancer. It forms in a woman’s external genitals, called the vulva. The cancer usually grows slowly over several years. First, precancerous cells grow on vulvar skin. This is called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), or dysplasia. Not all VIN cases turn into cancer, but it is best to treat it early. Often, vulvar cancer doesn’t cause symptoms at first. However, see your doctor for testing if you notice A lump in the vulva Vulvar itching or tenderness Bleeding that is not your period Changes in the vulvar skin, such as color changes or growths that look like a wart or ulcer You are at greater risk if you’ve had a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection or have a history of genital warts. Your health care provider diagnoses vulvar cancer with a physica1 exam and a biopsy. Treatment varies, depending on your overall health and how advanced the cancer is. It might include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biologic therapy. Biologic therapy boosts your body’s own ability to fight cancer. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Array After chemotherapy – discharge Cancer – vulva Pelvic (between the hips) radiation – discharge Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology Find a Gynecologic Oncologist Foundation for Women’s Cancer National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Reference Desk Basic Cancer Terms American Society of Clinical Oncology Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute Vulva Anatomy National Cancer Institute Prevention and Risk Factors Can Vulvar Cancer Be Prevented? American Cancer Society Statistics and Research Cancer of the Vulva National Cancer Institute Do We Know What Causes Vulvar Cancer? American Cancer Society HPV-Associated Vulvar Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What’s New in Vulvar Cancer Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society Related Issues Cancer Treatment for Women: Possible Sexual Side Effects Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Sex and Women with Cancer — Overview American Cancer Society Surgery for Cancer of the Vulva (Vulvectomy) American Cancer Society What Are the Risk Factors for Vulvar Cancer? American Cancer Society What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Vulvar Cancer? American Cancer Society Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Vulvar Neoplasms National Institutes of Health Treatments and Therapies Drugs Approved for Vulvar Cancer National Cancer Institute Treatment Option Overview (Vulvar Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options by Stage (Vulvar Cancer) National Cancer Institute Start Here General Information about Vulvar Cancer National Cancer Institute Vulvar Cancer American Society of Clinical Oncology Vulvar Cancer American Academy of Family Physicians What Is Vulvar Cancer? American Cancer Society Diagnosis and Tests How Is Vulvar Cancer Diagnosed? American Cancer Society Stages of Vulvar Cancer National Cancer Institute Journal Articles Vulvar Cancer Symptoms Symptoms of Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Patient Handouts Understanding Chemotherapy National Cancer Institute What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute Living With What Will Happen After Treatment for Vulvar Cancer? American Cancer Society
