Print Overview Vulvar cancer Enlarge image Close Vulvar cancer Vulvar cancer Vulvar cancer is cancer that occurs on the vulva — the fleshy area that surrounds your vagina and the tube (urethra) where urine leaves your body. Vulvar cancer is a type of cancer that occurs on the outer surface area of the female genitalia. The vulva is the area of skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina, including the clitoris and labia. Vulvar cancer commonly forms as a lump or sore on the vulva that often causes itching. Though it can occur at any age, vulvar cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older adults. Vulvar cancer treatment usually involves surgery to remove the cancer and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue. Sometimes vulvar cancer surgery requires removing the entire vulva. The earlier vulvar cancer is diagnosed, the less likely an extensive surgery is needed for treatment.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsSigns and symptoms of vulvar cancer may include: Itching that doesn't go away Pain and tenderness Bleeding that isn't from menstruation Skin changes, such as color changes or thickening A lump, wartlike bumps or an open sore (ulcer) When to see a doctorMake an appointment with your primary care doctor or gynecologist if you experience any persistent symptoms that worry you. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. 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Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesIt's not clear what causes vulvar cancer. In general, doctors know that cancer begins when a cell develops changes (mutations) in its DNA. The DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The mutations tell the cell to grow and divide rapidly. The cell and its offspring go on living when other normal cells would die. The accumulating cells form a tumor that may be cancerous, invading nearby tissue and spreading to other parts of the body. Types of vulvar cancerThe type of cell in which vulvar cancer begins helps your doctor plan the most effective treatment. The most common types of vulvar cancer include: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer begins in the thin, flat cells that line the surface of the vulva. Most vulvar cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Vulvar melanoma. This cancer begins in the pigment-producing cells found in the skin of the vulva. Risk factorsAlthough the exact cause of vulvar cancer isn't known, certain factors appear to increase your risk of the disease, including: Increasing age. The risk of vulvar cancer increases with age, though it can occur at any age. The average age at diagnosis is 65. Being exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that increases the risk of several cancers, including vulvar cancer and cervical cancer. Many young, sexually active people are exposed to HPV, but for most the infection goes away on its own. For some, the infection causes cell changes and increases the risk of cancer in the future. Smoking. Smoking increases the risk of vulvar cancer. Having a weakened immune system. People who take medications to suppress the immune system, such as those who've undergone organ transplant, and those with conditions that weaken the immune system, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have an increased risk of vulvar cancer. Having a history of precancerous conditions of the vulva. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia is a precancerous condition that increases the risk of vulvar cancer. Most instances of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia will never develop into cancer, but a small number do go on to become invasive vulvar cancer. For this reason, your doctor may recommend treatment to remove the area of abnormal cells and periodic follow-up checks. Having a skin condition involving the vulva. Lichen sclerosus, which causes the vulvar skin to become thin and itchy, increases the risk of vulvar cancer. PreventionReduce your risk of sexually transmitted infectionsTo reduce your risk of vulvar cancer, reduce your risk of the sexually transmitted infection HPV: Use a condom every time you have sex. Condoms may reduce your risk of contracting HPV but can't fully protect against it. Get the HPV vaccine. Children and young adults may consider the HPV vaccine, which protects against the strains of the virus that are thought to cause the most cases of vulvar cancer. Ask your doctor about pelvic examsAsk your doctor how often you should undergo pelvic exams. These exams allow your doctor to visually examine your vulva and manually examine your internal reproductive organs to check for abnormalities. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors for vulvar cancer and other pelvic cancers in order to determine the most appropriate screening exam schedule for you. By Mayo Clinic Staff Vulvar cancer care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Sept. 08, 2022 Print Show references Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. Cancer of the cervix, vulva and vagina. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 30, 2020. AskMayoExpert. Vulvar cancer and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2019. Vulvar cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/default.aspx. Accessed Sept. 30, 2020. Genital HPV infection — Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. Ramirez PT, et al., eds. Vulvar surgery and sentinel node mapping for vulvar cancer. In: Principles of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery. Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 30, 2020. Karam A, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: Staging and surgical treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Sept. 30, 2020. Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. July 7, 2020. Related Vulvar cancer Vulvectomy Associated Procedures Chemotherapy Colposcopy CT scan MRI Needle biopsy Positron emission tomography scan Radiation therapy Sentinel node biopsy Show more associated procedures Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Vulvar cancerSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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