Vulvar cancer commonly occurs when cells in the outer surface of the genitalia begin to rapidly grow, crowding out or destroying healthy tissue. Although the disease is rare (accounting for about 7 percent of all gynecological cancers), it can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated for too long. Speak with a Bayhealth cancer expert about treatment options.
Types of Vulvar Cancer
Forms of vulvar cancer include the following.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The most common form of vulvar cancer (representing roughly 90 percent of cases), squamous cell carcinoma begins in the flat cells that line the surface of the vulva.
- Melanoma: While melanoma commonly forms on parts of the body that receive regular sun exposure, it can also form in the pigment-producing cells of the vulva.
Signs and Symptoms
Although vulvar cancer doesn’t always present noticeable symptoms during its early stages, the following are common signs of the disease.
- Persistent itching or burning
- Bleeding not related to menstruation
- Skin changes that include rashes or warts
- Lumps, ulcers or open sores that last for weeks
- Pelvic pain during urination or sex
- Changes in skin color
Risk Factors & Prevention
While exact causes differ depending on the patient, several factors may increase your risk of developing vulvar cancer at some point in your life.
- Age: The most common form of vulvar cancer (squamous cell) rarely occurs in women under the age of 40. Most women aren’t diagnosed until 65 or older.
- HPV Infection: Certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact, can lead to vulvar cancer.
- Compromised Immune System: Diseases or other conditions that weaken the immune system (such as HIV or Epstein-Barr) put you at greater risk for vulvar cancer.
- Smoking: Cigarette use can double your risk for vulvar cancer as well as suppress your body’s ability to fight HPV.
- Skin Abnormalities: Vulvar cancer can develop due to skin conditions such as melanoma, lichen sclerosus and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).
Receiving regular pelvic exams and Pap tests are the most effective ways to find early signs of vulvar cancer. You might also consider getting the HPV vaccine.
How We Diagnose Vulvar Cancer
We use the following procedures to diagnose vulvar cancer.
- Physical Exam: Our medical expert inspects your vulva for signs of cancer.
- Colposcopy: Using a thin, lighted instrument (colposcope), our medical expert closely examines your vulva for abnormalities.
- Biopsy: Often performed during a colposcopy, a biopsy involves removing a piece of tissue from your vulva for examination in a pathology lab.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body to determine if disease or physical abnormalities are present.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: A small amount of radioactive material (which is known to absorb into cancer cells more than normal cells) is injected into your bloodstream, allowing a scanner to locate the cancerous cells.
Treatment Options
Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to outline a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Experts from a range of specialties will discuss your condition and determine the best plan of action. Factors we consider when developing your treatment plan include the stage and location of the cancer and your personal medical history.
Treatments for vulvar cancer include the following.
Medical Therapy
Our board-certified oncologists prescribe your medical therapy, and our highly trained nursing staff administers that therapy intravenously, orally or through injection.
Among the medical treatments we provide are the following.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
- Chemotherapy: This drug treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment option boosts your immune system, empowering it to fight and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy
Our team of board-certified radiation oncologists may use external beam radiation in combination with other treatments to address your cancer. Employing sophisticated technology, our therapists concentrate high-energy beams of radiation on the precise parts of your body affected by disease. This safe and accurate procedure may be administered routinely over a period of days or weeks. Other radiation procedures include the following.
- High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy: A form of internal radiotherapy, HDR brachytherapy involves using a narrow tube (catheter) to place a small amount of radioactive material into or near the area affected by cancer. This procedure may be used in conjunction with other treatments, including external beam radiation.
Surgical Approach
Our specialized surgery team uses the latest in minimally invasive techniques to remove the parts of the vulva affected by disease. Adhering to evidence-based guidelines, our robot-assisted surgical procedures provide safe treatment for all stages of cancer.
Learn more about cancer treatment options at Bayhealth.
Support Services
Before, during and after your cancer treatments, our experts remain dedicated to improving your quality of life. Our care team supports you in establishing healthy routines that help you stay in control of your daily symptoms. We also host support groups that provide patients and families opportunities to connect and share their experiences — because a strong network of support can help to make the realities of cancer more manageable.
- Cancer Support Community: A statewide non-profit organization, the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to helping people manage the emotional aspects of their cancer journey. Learn more about the Cancer Support Community.
Explore our classes, events and support groups.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that test cutting-edge drugs, procedures, and technologies with the purpose of establishing new or better ways of treating cancer. The skilled nurses in our Clinical Research Program can help you find clinical trial options for your specific cancer.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about cancer treatment options.