Introduction

Cancer of the vulva is a rare type of cancer that affects women. Around 1,200 new casesare diagnosed each year in the UK.

The vulva is a woman's external genitals. It includesthe lips surrounding the vagina (labia minora and labia majora), the clitoris (sexual organthat helps women reach sexual climax), and the Bartholin's glands (two small glands each side of the vagina).

Most of those affected by vulval cancer are older women over the age of 65. The condition is rare in women under 50 who have not yet gone through the Testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) .

Symptoms of vulval cancer

Symptoms of vulval cancer can include:

  • a persistent itch in the vulva
  • pain, soreness or tendernessinthe vulva
  • raised and thickened patches of skin that canbe red, white or dark
  • a lump or wart-like growth on the vulva
  • bleeding from the vulva orblood-stained vaginal discharge between periods
  • an open sore in the vulva
  • a burning painwhen passing urine
  • amole on the vulva that changes shape or colour

See your GP if you notice any changes in the usual appearance of your vulva. While it's highly unlikely to be the result ofcancer, these changes should be investigated.

Some people may also have radiotherapy (where radiation is used to destroy cancer cells) or chemotherapy (where medication is used to kill cancer cells), or both.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be used without surgery if you're not well enough to have an operation, or ifthe cancer has spread and it isn't possible to remove it all.

Outlook

The outlook for vulval cancer depends on things such as how far the cancer has spread, your age, and your general health. Generally, the earlier the cancer is detected and the younger you are, the better the chances of treatment being successful.

Overall, around6 in every 10 women diagnosed with vulval cancer will survive at least five years. However, even after successfultreatment, the cancer comes back in up to one in every three cases. You'll need regular follow-up appointments so your doctor can check if this is happening.

Canvulval cancer be prevented?

It's not thought to be possible to prevent vulval cancer completely, but you may be able to reduce your risk by:

  • practisingsafer sex using a condom during sex can offer some protection against HPV
  • attending cervical screening appointmentscervical screening can detect HPV and pre-cancerous conditions such as VIN
  • stopping smoking

The HPV vaccination may also reduce your chances of developing vulval cancer. This is now offered to all girlswho are 12 to 13 years old as part of their routine childhood immunisation programme.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 5 Jan 2017