Types of Gynecologic Cancers: Vulvar
The vulva includes the inner and outer lips of the vagina,
the clitoris (sensitive tissue between the lips), and the opening
of the vagina and its glands.
Vulvar cancer is a rare condition in which malignant (cancer)
cells form in the tissues of the vulva. It forms
in a woman's external genitalia. Vulvar cancer most often affects
the outer vaginal lips. Less often, cancer affects the inner vaginal
lips or the clitoris.
Vulvar cancer usually develops slowly over a period of years.
Abnormal cells can grow on the surface of the vulvar skin for a
long time. This precancerous condition is called vulvar intraepithelial
neoplasia (VIN) or dysplasia. Because it is possible for VIN or
dysplasia to develop into vulvar cancer, treatment of this condition
is very important.
HPV infection and older age can affect the risk of developing
vulvar cancer.
Vulvar Cancer Signs and Symptoms
Vulvar cancer often does not cause early symptoms. When symptoms
occur, they may be caused by vulvar cancer or by other conditions.
Your physician should be consulted if any of the following problems
occur:
- A lump in the vulva
- Itching that does not go away in the vulvar area
- Bleeding not related to menstruation (periods)
- Tenderness in the vulvar area