How to Recognize Vulva Cancer Symptoms

Medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References Approved

Although many people are at risk for cancer of the vulva, this disease is very rare. Despite the fact that few people will actually ever develop vulvar cancer, it’s advisable to know and recognize the signs of it. If you find any symptoms, your doctor will need to confirm a diagnosis of vulvar cancer. Treatment for the disease is often successful, depending on its severity.

Things You Should Know

Vulvar cancer may not present any symptoms in its early stages. Look for unusual growths or lumps, itching or tenderness, bleeding, itching, or pain.
Examine your vulvar skin regularly to identify any potential problems quickly. See your doctor as soon as possible if you observe any symptoms.
Risk factors include age, STI exposure, and smoking. Vulvar cancer is very treatable with surgery or chemotherapy when it’s caught in the early stages.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Recognizing the Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

1
Identify potential symptoms. Vulvar cancer may not present any symptoms in its early stages, but some signs may be present. Identifying potential symptoms that you have can help you get a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Symptoms or signs of vulvar cancer include unusual growths, itching or tenderness of the vulvar skin, and bleeding.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Pay attention to the health of your vulva over time so that you know what is normal for you and can easily identify any irregularities.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
2
Be aware of your risk for vulvar cancer. The exact cause of vulvar cancer isn’t known, but doctors know that certain factors and behaviors can increase your risk of getting vulvar cancer. Being aware of your risk for this disease can help you recognize it and get a diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Your risk increases with age, with the average age of diagnosis for vulvar cancer 65.^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Exposure to the sexually transmitted disease human papillomavirus, or HPV, can increase you risk of vulvar cancer.^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Smokers may be at a higher risk for contracting vulvar cancer.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Having HIV will weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to vulvar cancer.^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- A history of precancerous or skin conditions of the vulva, such as lichen sclerosis, can increase your risk of getting vulvar cancer.^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
Advertisement
3
Feel for lumps or other irregularities in your vulva. Lumps and other irregular growths can indicate vulvar cancer. Gently feeling your vulvar area with your fingers can help identify any unusual growths.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Don’t feel uncomfortable or self-conscious touching your vulva. You’re not doing anything wrong and helping to protect your health.^{[11]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- Gently touch the various parts of your vulva to feel for any irregular growths or anomalies such as lumps or wart-like lesions. Make sure to feel inside of the labia as well.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- It’s a good idea to feel your vulva regularly so that you know what is normal for you.^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of these symptoms.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
4
Observe pain, itching, or bleeding. Pay attention to your body for any unusual or extended itching, burning, or bleeding. These symptoms can indicate vulvar cancer, especially if they don’t go away.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Watch for any lingering pain in your pelvic area, in particular when you urinate or have sex.^{[16]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- Look for any bleeding that is not related to a menstrual period, which can be a sign of vulvar cancer.^{[17]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- See your doctor as soon as possible if you observe any of these symptoms.^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
5
Examine your genitals. Vulvar cancer forms in the vulva, which is made up by the external genitals including the clitoris, labia, vaginal opening, and any surrounding skin or tissue.^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source} Examining your genitals, along with identifying symptoms, can help you recognize potential sites of vulvar cancer.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- Consider using a mirror to help you examine your vulva.
- Do regular exams of your vulvar skin so that you know what your vulva normally looks like and can easily identify any potential problems.^{[21]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- Look for changes in the appearance of your vulvar skin such as variation in color or skin thickness. Growths that look like a wart or an ulcer can also be a sign of vulvar cancer.^{[22]
  X
  Research source}
- Vulva cancer occurs most often on the inner edges of the labia, which are the two folds of skin on the outer part of the female genitals.^{[23]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Cancer Institute
  An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
  Go to source}
- You can also ask your longtime partner if they’ve noticed any changes in your vulva. He or she may notice differences more quickly than you do.^{[24]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- See your doctor as soon as possible if you observe any of these symptoms.^{[25]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Getting a Diagnosis and Treatment

1
See your doctor. If you discover any of the signs or symptoms of vulvar cancer and are at risk for the disease, see your doctor as soon as possible. Vulvar cancer is very treatable, but early diagnosis is important to minimize the length and severity of treatment.^{[26]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source}
- If you can, see your gynecologist, who is best equipped to diagnose vulvar cancer. If necessary, she will refer you to other doctors or specialists.
- Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to check for signs of vulvar cancer and will also likely ask for a health history, including factors such as health habits and past illnesses.^{[27]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Cancer Institute
  An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
  Go to source}
- Part of your physical exam may be examining your vulva under a special magnifying device.^{[28]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
2
Get tests and a diagnosis. If your doctor suspects that you have vulvar cancer, she may order tests after conducting your physical exam. These tests are the only way to confirm a diagnosis of vulvar cancer.^{[29]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source}
- The most common test for vulvar cancer is a biopsy. Your doctor will remove a small amount of vulvar cells or tissue and send them for a laboratory to check for signs of cancer.^{[30]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Cancer Institute
  An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
  Go to source}
- If tests confirm the diagnosis of vulvar cancer, you may need additional tests to determine if the cancer has spread within your body.^{[31]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Cancer Institute
  An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
  Go to source}
- Additional testing may include a pelvic exam, colposcopy, x-rays, CT scan or an MRI, and a lymph node biopsy.^{[32]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Cancer Institute
  An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
  Go to source}
3
Get treatment. Your doctor will prescribe a course of treatment for a diagnosed case of vulvar cancer based on the severity of the disease. There are many different treatment options and they may be successful if diagnosed in the earlier stages of the disease.^{[33]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
Go to source}
- The four standard treatments used for vulvar cancer are: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biologic therapy.^{[34]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Cancer Institute
  An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
  Go to source}
- Surgery is the most common treatment for vulvar cancer and can remove all the cancer without damaging the person's sexual function.^{[35]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Cancer Institute
  An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
  Go to source}
- Your doctor will suggest a treatment based on the severity of your vulvar cancer.
- Consider taking part in a clinical trial, which would offer you the opportunity to try one of the new treatment methods. Stages one and two may only require surgery, while stages three and four may require more radical surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiation.^{[36]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Cancer Institute
  An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support
  Go to source}

Warnings

Don’t ignore symptoms. If cancer cells reach the pelvic lymph nodes, secondary cancers could spread to anywhere in the body.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
There is no treatment for HPV once you’ve contracted it. If you are under the age of 30, consider getting the HPV vaccine to decrease your risk of HPV related diseases.^{[37]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0