This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD and by How.com.vn staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Lacy Windham, MD, is a Board-Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Cleveland, Tennessee. Dr. Windham attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Her residency was completed at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. She was the recipient of multiple awards during her residency training, including Most Outstanding Resident in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Most Outstanding Resident in Oncology, Most Outstanding Resident Overall, and Special Award in Minimally Invasive Surgery.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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When you have a problem "down there," it's easy to spiral into thinking the worst. But is that lump on your vulva potentially cancerous? Without getting a biopsy, there's no way to know for sure. The good news is that vulva cancer is really rare and it's usually pretty easily treated—especially if it's caught early. Read on to learn more about your vulva and how to spot the abnormalities that might be cancer symptoms, so you can get your doctor to look at them as soon as possible.
Things You Should Know
- Examine your vulva regularly so you'll be able to identify potential problems easily.
- Itching, pain, or bleeding that doesn't seem to have another cause and doesn't go away after a week or two could be a symptom of cancer.
- Visit your doctor as soon as possible if there's an abnormality that worries you. Treatments are more effective if you catch the problem early.
- If you're a smoker, 60-75 years old, infected with HPV or HIV, or have a family history of skin cancer, you may have a slightly higher risk of contracting vulvar cancer.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/sexual-and-reproductive-anatomy/what-are-parts-female-sexual-anatomy
- ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/types/vulvar/patient/vulvar-treatment-pdq#_1
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/vulvarcancer.html
- ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/types/vulvar/patient/vulvar-treatment-pdq#_1
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/types/vulvar/patient/vulvar-treatment-pdq#_1
- ↑ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/vulvar-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/basic_info/symptoms.htm
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/basic_info/symptoms.htm
- ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/types/vulvar/patient/vulvar-treatment-pdq#_1
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/vulvar-cancer/?adfree=true
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/vulvar-cancer/?adfree=true
- ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/types/vulvar/patient/vulvar-treatment-pdq#_1
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/vulvar-cancer/view-all
- ↑ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/vulvar-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/vulvar-cancer/view-all
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/vulvar-cancer/view-all
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/in-depth/hpv-vaccine/art-20047292
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/vulvar-cancer/view-all
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/vagvulv/pdf/vagvulv_facts.pdf
About This Article
To recognize vulva cancer symptoms, look for unusual growths, itching, or tenderness of the vulvar skin. You might also feel some lumps or irregularities in your vulva, so make sure to gently touch in and around this area so you know what’s normal for you. Any lingering pain or burning, especially during sex or urination, should also prompt you to see a doctor. In addition to any outward signs, consider your risk factors, which include exposure to HPV, smoking, having HIV, and a history of precancerous or skin conditions of the vulva. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to get a diagnosis for vulvar cancer, keep reading!
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