We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Please review our Privacy Policy to learn more.
If you’re too busy to complete this Appointment Request, don’t sweat it! We’ll save your answers for 12 hours so you could come back and finish this form.
Miami Cancer Institute’s gynecologic cancer specialists combine medical expertise and compassionate care to provide the best treatment options for our patients. Our world-class specialists have access to a range of cutting-edge technologies as well as weekly, multidisciplinary tumor boards where our gynecologic experts can collaborate on treatment plans. Ultimately, your care team aims to give personalized care that helps address your individual needs and effectively treats your cancer.
Your gynecologic oncology care team consists of renowned cancer physicians that provide advanced whole-patient care. Each individualized care plan includes innovative treatments as well as services to address your entire journey as a patient, including nutritional advice, physical rehabilitation and pain management services. Not only do we focus on the treatment that is right for your type of cancer, we focus on the treatment that is right for you as an individual.
What is vulvar cancer?
Vulvar cancer is a disease in which cancerous (malignant) cells form in the tissue of the vulva. The vulva includes the opening of the vagina, the inner lips of the vagina (labia minora) and the outer lips of the vagina (labia majora).
Vulvar cancer most often occurs in the outer lips of the vagina and forms slowly over several years.
What are the types of vulvar cancer?
There are five main types of vulvar cancer:
Squamous cell carcinoma - This is the most common type of vulvar cancer. This type of cancer forms in the squamous cells, which are the primary type of skin cells.
Adenocarcinoma - This type of cancer starts in glands closest to the opening of the vagina.
Melanoma - Melanomas start in the cells that produce pigment for the skin. They are more common in sun-exposed areas of skin, but can occur elsewhere.
Sarcoma - A sarcoma starts in the cells that make up muscles or collective tissue.
Basal cell carcinoma - This is the most common form of skin cancer. It most often occurs on sun-exposed areas of the skin, but can sometimes occur in other places.
What are the risk factors for vulvar cancer?
The most common risk factor for vulvar cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Doctors believe at least half of vulvar cancers are caused by HPV infection.
You can contract HPV by coming in contact with the mouth, genitals or anus of an infected person. Unfortunately, other than genital warts, there is no way of knowing whether a sexual partner has HPV.
Other risk factors for developing vulvar cancer include:
Age. The average age of women diagnosed with vulvar cancer is 70.
Smoking.
Having a history of genital warts.
Being infected with HIV.
Having many sexual partners.
Having sex at an early age.
Having vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). This is a pre-cancer that can evolve into vulvar cancer (invasive vulvar cancer) over time.
Having had melanoma or having a family history of melanoma.
What can you do to prevent vulvar cancer?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer. However, because most vulvar cancers are caused by infection with HPV, you can reduce your risk for vulvar cancer by using protection (such as a condom) during sex and limiting the number of sexual partners you have.
Condoms cannot provide complete protection against HPV, but they can significantly lower your risk of infection.
You can also lower your risk with the HPV vaccine. This vaccine targets the high-risk types of HPV that cause vulvar cancers. It is not meant for women who are already infected with HPV. Ask your doctor about the vaccine and whether it’s something that is safe for you to receive.
Stopping smoking may also reduce your risk for vulvar cancer.
Is vulvar cancer screening available?
Getting regular pelvic exams and Pap tests with your doctor can help find early signs of vulvar cancer. These exams check for abnormalities in the genital area as well as the organs in the pelvis. If your doctor suspects you may have cancer, you and your doctor will work together on follow-up tests and screenings.
During a pelvic exam, your doctor will check the vagina and vulva for any signs of cancer or disease. He or she may also conduct an internal exam. During this procedure, your doctor will insert a lubed finger into the vagina while he or she feels the lower abdomen with the other hand.
During a Pap smear, your doctor inserts a lubricated instrument into the vagina to widen the opening. Then, he or she will gently scrape your cervix to collect a sample of mucus. The mucus is sent to a lab where a pathologist checks for abnormal cells or signs of cancer.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about the right time is to start regular pelvic exams and Pap tests. How often you have screenings will depend on your risk factors, medical history, and whether you’ve had an abnormal test result in the past.
Have questions?
We're here to help answer any questions you or your family may have.
The American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG) encourages women to begin yearly cervical cancer screenings at age 21, and earlier for women who are younger than 21 and infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
Vaccines Tied to Declining Rates of HPV-Related Cancer
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common virus, with nearly 80 million people — about one in four — currently infected in the United States. Most significantly, it is a cancer-causing virus.
