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Cancers of the vulva are cancers in the skin covering the vulva. It is an uncommon cancer. Vulvar cancer is a malignancy that can occur on any part of the external organs, but most often affects the labia majora or labia minora.

The term vulva refers to the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips, and the opening to the vagina. It is made up of two pairs of lips called labia, between which are two openings.

Little is known about the causes of these cancers, although age is thought to be a significant factor in their development. According the American Cancer Society, about 3,490 cases of cancer of the vulva will be diagnosed in the US in 2007 with 880 deaths.

A risk factor is anything that may increase a person’s chance of developing a disease. The following have been suggested as risk factors for vulvar cancer:

Age factor: three-fourths are over age 50, and half are over age 70. however, vulval cancer is becoming more common in younger women between 30 and 50 years of age.

lichen sclerosus - an uncommon disease of unknown cause that results in white patches on the skin which may cause scarring on and around genital skin - can cause the vulval skin to become very itchy and may slightly increase the possibility of vulvar cancer.

Melanoma or a type of tumor arising in the skin - a family history of melanoma and dysplastic nevi anywhere on the body may increase the risk of vulvar cancer.

vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) - abnormal cells are found in the skin of the

vulva - there is an increased risk for vulvar cancer in women with VIN.

There also some evidences that cigarette smoking may be linked with cancer of the vulva.

Certain types of a virus known as the human papilloma virus (HPV) have been associated with cancer of the vulva. Essentially, this virus can only exist in women who are sexually active.

The symptoms of vulvar cancer

Although soreness or itching of the vulva can be caused by many benign conditions rather than cancer, it is very important to have it checked by your doctor. Constant itching has been reported in almost 90% of the women with vulvar cancer.

Changes in the color and the way the vulva looks, bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation, severe burning/itching or pain, skin of the vulva looks white and feels rough.

The cancer may often take the form of an ulcer which may occur on any part of the vulva. Occasionally, the cancer is detected while a woman is washing or during sex.

How is vulvar cancer treated?

When vulvar cancer is detected early, it is highly curable. The overall five-year survival rate when the lymph nodes are not involved is 90 percent.

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the common treatment options, sometimes used in various combinations. As with many cancers, the optimal treatment depends on the disease stage and patient factors such as age and other medical conditions.

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