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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living with cancer newsletter

Subscribe to our Living with cancer newsletter to stay up to date on cancer topics.

Signs and symptoms of vulvar cancer may include:

  • Itching that doesn't go away
  • Pain and tenderness
  • Bleeding that isn't from menstruation
  • Skin changes, such as color changes or thickening
  • A lump, wart-like bumps or an open sore (ulcer)

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or gynecologist if you experience any vulvar signs or symptoms that worry you, such as:

  • Abnormal bleeding
  • Burning
  • Itching
  • Pain
References
  1. Jhingran A, et al. Cancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2007:1766.
  2. Frumovitz M, et al. Neoplastic diseases of the vulva: Lichen sclerosus, intraepithelial neoplasia, Paget's disease, carcinoma. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202781245-2/0/1524/0.html. Accessed June 2, 2010.
  3. Crosbie EJ, et al. The management of vulvar cancer. Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2009;35:533.
  4. Whitcomb BP. Gynecologic malignancies. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008;88:301.
  5. Elkas JC, et al. Vulvar cancer: Staging, treatment and prognosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
  6. Gagne HM. Colposcopy of the vagina and vulva. Obstetric and Gynecologic Clinics of North America. 2008;35:659.
  7. Helm CW. Radical vulvectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
  8. Barton DPJ. The prevention and management of treatment related morbidity in vulvar cancer. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics Gynaecology. 2003;17:683.
  9. Disorders of the vulva. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp088.cfm. Accessed June 9, 2010.
  10. Human papillomavirus infection. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp073.cfm. Accessed June 9, 2010.
  11. Vulva. In: Edge SB, et al. AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: Springer; 2010:379.
DS00768 July 10, 2010

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