Early stage vulvar cancer may not have any symptoms. But if symptoms do occur, they may include persistent vulvar itching and changes to the skin of the vulva.
Vulvar cancer is cancer that affects the exterior part of the female genitals, which is collectively referred to as the vulva. It’s a rare type of cancer, with only
In general, the outlook for people with cancer is improved when it’s diagnosed and treated early. Understanding the early symptoms of vulvar cancer and knowing when to contact a doctor can help you receive an early diagnosis and treatment.
This article reviews the early and late symptoms of vulvar cancer, as well as other conditions vulvar cancer might be mistaken for, and how vulvar disorders are diagnosed.
Some people with early stage vulvar cancer may not have any symptoms. When symptoms are present, they’re typically associated with changes to the skin of the vulva.
For example, you may notice a thickening of the skin of your vulva. Additionally, some areas of skin may have a different appearance, such as being red, white, or lighter or darker than surrounding skin.
Some people with early stage vulvar cancer may also experience itching in the area of their vulva. This itching is often persistent and doesn’t go away.
If you notice any concerning changes to skin of your vulva, make an appointment with a doctor. While your symptoms may not be due to vulvar cancer, they may signal another health condition that needs attention.
Do Pap smears (Pat tests) detect vulvar cancer?
A Pap smear can’t detect vulvar cancer. There’s
As vulvar cancer progresses, you may begin to experience additional symptoms. These can include:
- a lump or bump on your vulva that may sometimes resemble a wart
- vulvar pain or tenderness
- a painful or burning feeling when you pee
- bleeding that’s not related to your period
- an open sore or ulcer on your vulva
Vulvar cancer can also spread to more distant organs and tissues. This is called metastasis and can lead to symptoms such as:
- fatigue
- weakness
- loss of appetite
- unintentional weight loss
- pain at the site of metastasis
What are the risk factors for vulvar cancer?
A risk factor is anything that increases your risk of developing a health condition. The known risk factors for vulvar cancer are:
- being an older age
- smoking
- having:
- vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, a type of precancer of the vulva
- a weakened immune system, such as due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or taking immunosuppressive drugs
- lichen sclerosis, a condition that affects the skin of the vulva
- other genital cancers, such as cervical cancer
Vulvar cancer symptoms overlap with those of other health conditions. As such, it may be misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and poorer outlook. A
Some examples of the benign health conditions that can have similar symptoms to those of vulvar cancer are:
- vulvar cysts
- candidiasis (yeast infection)
- genital warts
- genital herpes
- atopic or contact dermatitis
- psoriasis
- lichen planus or lichen sclerosis
- postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy
- vulvar vestibulitis, a condition that causes a painful or burning sensation in the vulva
- pemphigus vegetans, an autoimmune condition that leads to sores or blisters
Other precancerous and cancerous conditions can also lead to symptoms comparable to those of vulvar cancer. This includes vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and Paget’s disease of the vulva.
While their most common symptoms are often different, other cancers of the female reproductive system may also have some symptom overlap with vulvar cancer, such as pain, abnormal bleeding, and urinary changes. Examples are:
If you develop new or concerning symptoms, the only way to find out what may be causing them is to see a doctor. They can do tests to find out what’s causing your symptoms and also determine an appropriate treatment plan.
During the initial part of the diagnostic process, a doctor will get your medical history and do a physical exam. During this time, they may also do:
If vulvar cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be collected. This is the
If cancer cells are found, additional testing of the sample can also help to further characterize the cancer, which can help doctors determine your treatment plan and outlook. Imaging tests may also be used to understand the extent of the cancer and can include:
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- PET scan
- chest X-ray to see if cancer has spread to the lungs
- proctoscopy to check for spread to the rectum
- cystoscopy to look for spread to the bladder
Early vulvar cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms. When symptoms are present, they typically include itching of the vulva and changes to the skin of your vulva.
The outlook for someone with vulvar cancer is better when it’s diagnosed and treated early. Because of this, it’s important to see a doctor if you notice any changes to your vulva that are new or concerning.