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Home , Cervical cancer, Cervix, Vaginal cancer, Vulva, Vulvar cancer

VAGINAL & VULVAR About Gynecologic Cancer

There are five main types of cancer that affect a ’s reproductive organs: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. As a group, they are referred to as gynecologic (GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) cancer. (A sixth type of gynecologic cancer is the very rare cancer.)

This fact sheet about vaginal & vulvar is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Inside Knowledge: About Gynecologic Cancer campaign. The campaign helps women get the facts about gynecologic cancer, providing important “inside knowledge” about their bodies and health.

What are vaginal and vulvar cancers? Who gets vaginal and vulvar cancers? Cancer is a disease in which cells While all women are at risk for these cancers, few will get them. Vaginal in the body grow out of control. and vulvar cancers are very rare. Together, they account for 6-7 percent Cancer is always named for the of all gynecologic cancers diagnosed in the U.S., with an estimated 1,300 part of the body where it starts, women diagnosed with and 4,900 women with vulvar even if it spreads to other body cancer each year. parts later. When cancer starts in the , it is called vaginal cancer. The organs. It has two folds of , doctor if you have any signs or vagina, also called the canal, called the . symptoms, such as lumps or is the hollow, tube-like channel most often occurs on the inner changes in the vagina or . between the bottom of the edges of the labia.When vaginal The doctor may perform tests or and the outside of the body. and vulvar cancers are found early, other procedures to find out what When cancer forms in the vulva, treatment is most effective. is causing these symptoms. it is vulvar cancer. The vulva is the Your doctor also may recommend outer part of the female genital Are there tests that can more follow-up tests or more find vaginal and vulvar frequent exams to check for cancers early? vaginal or vulvar cancers if you The best ways to find vaginal and have had abnormal vulvar cancers early are to get results or a history of cervical regular checkups and to see a cancer. These things may place you at a higher risk of getting HPV-associated cancers, like vaginal, vulvar, and cervical Fallopian Tube cancers. It is important to note that the Pap test does not screen Uterus for vaginal and vulvar cancers. The only cancer the Pap test Vagina screens for is . Vulva cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge 800-CDC-INFO Can the HPV prevent If one or more of these things vaginal and vulvar cancers? is true for you, it does not mean What are the signs and you will get vaginal or vulvar Many vaginal and vulvar cancers symptoms of vaginal and cancer. But you should speak are caused by the human vulvar cancers? with your doctor to see if he papillomavirus (HPV), a common or she recommends more Most vaginal cancers do not that is passed from one frequent exams. cause signs or symptoms early on. person to another during . When vaginal cancer does cause There is a vaccine that protects symptoms, they may include: How can I prevent vaginal against the types of HPV that most and vulvar cancers? • or that often cause cervical, vaginal, and is not normal for you. The bleeding vulvar cancers. It is recommended • Get the HPV vaccine. It protects may be abnormal because of how for preteens (both boys and girls) against the types of HPV that heavy it is, or when it happens, aged 11 to 12 years, but can be most often cause cervical, such as bleeding after you have given as early as age 9 and until vaginal, and vulvar cancers. If gone through ; age 26. The vaccine is given in you are between the ages of bleeding between periods; or any a series of either two or three 9 and 26, talk to your doctor other bleeding that is longer or shots, depending on age. If you or about the HPV vaccine. heavier than is normal for you. someone you care about is in this • Take steps to reduce your risk • A change in bathroom habits, age range, talk with a doctor or of getting HPV or HIV, such as such as having blood in the other health professional about it. avoiding sex or limiting your stool or ; having more To learn more about the HPV number of sexual partners. frequent or urgent need to vaccine visit www.cdc.gov/hpv/ • Don’t smoke. urinate; or feeling constipated. index.html. Vulvar cancers often cause signs or What should I do if my symptoms including one or more of What raises a woman’s doctor says I have vaginal the following: chance of getting vaginal or vulvar cancer? • Itching, burning, pain or or vulvar cancer? If your doctor says that you have tenderness on the vulva that There is no way to know for sure vaginal or vulvar cancer, ask to does not go away. if you will get vaginal or vulvar be referred to a gynecologic cancer. Some women get these • Changes in vulva skin color, oncologist—a doctor who has been cancers without being at high risk. where it is redder or whiter than trained to treat cancers like these. However, the following factors may normal for you. This doctor will work with you to increase a woman’s risk for vaginal create a treatment plan. • Changes on the vulva skin, such as or vulvar cancer: a rash, , sores, lumps or ulcers. • Having HPV. Pay attention to your body, and know Where can I find more • Having had cervical precancer what is normal for you. If you have or cervical cancer. information about vaginal, that is not normal for vulvar, and other gynecologic you, see a doctor right away. If you • Having a condition (such as HIV, cancers? have any of the other signs that may the virus that can lead to AIDS) be associated with vaginal or vulvar that makes it hard for your body Centers for Disease Control and cancer, and they last for two weeks or to fight off health problems. Prevention: 800-CDC-INFO or www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic longer, see a doctor. These symptoms • . may be caused by something other National Cancer Institute: • Having ongoing vulvar itching than cancer, but the only way to 800-4-CANCER or www.cancer.gov know is to see your doctor. or burning.

cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge 800-CDC-INFO About Gynecologic Cancer CDC Publication #99-9125, Revised January 2019