Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer is caused by the HPV virus in more than 50% of all cases. 80% of vulvar cancers are in the labia, 10% involve the clitoris and 10% area between the vulva and the anus. The vulva is the skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina on the outer surface of the female genital area.

Types of vulvar cancer include:

  • Vulvar melanoma — This cancer begins in the pigment-producing cells of the vulva and accounts for 5% of vulvar cancers in the United States.

  • Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma — This cancer accounts for 90% of vulvar cancers and begins in the thin, flat cells that line the surface of the vulva.

Causes of Vulvar Cancer

The cause of vulvar cancer is typically human papillomavirus (HPV) or a genetic mutation in your DNA. DNA mutations cause healthy cells to change and grow at a rapid rate, causing a tumor. Not everyone with HPV will develop vulvar cancer.

Risk Factors for Vulvar Cancer

Some people who get vulvar cancer have a specific mutation in their DNA that increases their risk of getting vulvar cancer. Our hereditary cancer program can provide important information to you and your family so we can identify cancer early, when it is most treatable, and plan your treatment.

Vulvar cancer can be associated with the following risk factors:

  • Age.
  • HIV infection.
  • Many sexual partners.
  • Melanoma.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Smoking.
Doctor consulting woman patient

Make an appointment

For more information, please contact your oncologist or the Cancer Care Center aat (859) 301-2237, option 2.

Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

Most women with early-stage vulvar cancer will have no symptoms. Some women experience itching that will not go away. Symptoms of advanced vulvar cancer include:

  • An area on the vulva that looks lighter or darker than the normal.
  • A bump or lump that will feel rough or thick.
  • An open sore that doesn’t heal.
  • Irregular bleeding or discharge.
  • Itching.
  • Pain or burning.
  • Thickening of the vulva.

Diagnosing Vulvar Cancer

If your doctor suspects that you have vulvar cancer, we may run tests to determine the type of cancer and develop the best treatment plan. These tests include:

  • Biopsy.
  • Blood tests to check genetic makeup and blood markers.
  • CT scan.
  • MRI.
  • PET/CT scan.
  • Pelvic exam.

If you’ve been diagnosed with vulvar cancer, we can provide a second opinion and present treatment options.

Treating Vulvar Cancer

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we believe in caring for you, not just treating your cancer. Our holistic approach means we combine cancer treatment with working to minimize side effects and help you manage them. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible while we use innovative approaches to treat your cancer.

Your treatment plan for vulvar cancer usually begins with surgery. Our surgeons are experts in diagnosing and treating gynecologic cancers.

Depending on the stage of your cancer and whether it has spread, your treatment may include:

  • Chemotherapy — Therapy that uses drugs injected through IV, taken by mouth or applied on the skin to attack and kill cancer cells.

  • Clinical trials — Innovative drug and genetic therapies used to treat vulvar cancers.

  • Immunotherapy — Medication therapy that stimulates your own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

  • Interventional radiation procedures — Nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedures to kill or shrink tumors.
  • Radiation therapy — Therapy that uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.
  • Surgery — A procedure to remove cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
  • Precision medicine — Medication therapy that uses your DNA to specifically target the cells that lead to cancer and stop cancer from forming and spreading.

  • Supportive care — Helping you coordinate appointments and treating the side effects of your cancer or cancer treatment.

Preventing Vulvar Cancer

Steps you can take to reduce your risk of vulvar cancer include:

  • Avoid smoking — Smoking is linked to many cancers, including vulvar cancer.

  • HPV vaccination — The HPV vaccine will protect you from the types of HPV that cause vulvar cancer.

  • Practice safe sex — Sexually transmitted diseases and having multiple sexual partners increase your risk of developing vulvar cancer.

Your Cancer Care Team

Cancer Research Physicians

The team includes medical oncologists specializing in immunotherapy and precision medicine, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, thoracic surgeons, pain management specialists, genetic counselors, pathologists, nutritionists, pharmacists, nurses and support staff. They work together to create a treatment plan that’s just right for you.

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