Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Locations >
  • Hospitals >
  • ... >
  • UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital >
  • Our Services >
  • Cancer Program >
  • Gynecologic Cancer Program >
  • Types of Gynecologic Cancer >
  • Vulvar Cancer
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
About Us
Our Services
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Bariatric Services
Behavioral Health Services
Bone and Joint Center
UPMC Magee-Womens Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health
Bone Health Program
Cancer Program
Breast Cancer Program
Women's Cancer Genetics Program
Gynecologic Cancer Program
About Us
Contact the Gynecologic Cancer Program
Diagnostic Services
Gynecologic Cancer Experts
Locations & Directions
Research & Clinical Trials
Resources
Specialty Care
Treatment
Types of Gynecologic Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor
Ovarian, Peritoneal, and Fallopian Tube Cancers
Uterine and Endometrial Cancers
Vaginal Cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Women's Inclusive Sexual Health Clinic
LiveWell Survivorship
Lymphedema
Patient Resources
Cosmetic Services
Digestive Disorders Center
Emergency Department
General Surgery
Inflammatory Diseases
Magee Infusion Center
Magee-Womens Imaging
Medical Weight Loss
Pathology
Robotic Assisted Surgery
Stroke Telemedicine
Urology
Patients & Visitors
Careers
Locations & Directions
Contact Us
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
About Us
Our Services
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Bariatric Services
Behavioral Health Services
Bone and Joint Center
UPMC Magee-Womens Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health
Bone Health Program
Cancer Program
Breast Cancer Program
Women's Cancer Genetics Program
Gynecologic Cancer Program
About Us
Contact the Gynecologic Cancer Program
Diagnostic Services
Gynecologic Cancer Experts
Locations & Directions
Research & Clinical Trials
Resources
Specialty Care
Treatment
Types of Gynecologic Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor
Ovarian, Peritoneal, and Fallopian Tube Cancers
Uterine and Endometrial Cancers
Vaginal Cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Women's Inclusive Sexual Health Clinic
LiveWell Survivorship
Lymphedema
Patient Resources
Cosmetic Services
Digestive Disorders Center
Emergency Department
General Surgery
Inflammatory Diseases
Magee Infusion Center
Magee-Womens Imaging
Medical Weight Loss
Pathology
Robotic Assisted Surgery
Stroke Telemedicine
Urology
Patients & Visitors
Careers
Locations & Directions
Contact Us

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

​Vulvar Cancer

  • Overview
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment

What is Vulvar Cancer?

Vulvar cancer forms in the tissues that make up the vulva — the outer part of the female genitals.

The vulva includes the:

  • Opening of the vagina
  • Inner and outer labia (vaginal lips)
  • Clitoris

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can increase the risk of developing vulvar cancer. Not everybody with HPV will develop vulvar cancer.

Early detection is important.

Pap smears may not detect HPV infection of the vulva, however, routine physical exams by a gynecologist can help detect any new, suspicious lesions.

Types of Vulvar Cancer

The following represent the most common types of vulvar cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma

  • Cancer that occurs in the squamous cells that make up the vulva.
  • This is the most common type of vulvar cancer.

Adenocarcinoma

Cancer that develops in the glands that exist near the vulva.

Who's at Risk of Vulvar Cancer?

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing vulvar cancer, including:

  • Age over 50
  • Being diagnosed with a previous gynecologic cancer
  • First sexual intercourse at a young age
  • History of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia
  • Infection with or exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Infection with or exposure to HPV
  • Skin conditions involving the vulva

» Learn more about gynecologic cancer prevention and screening.

Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer may develop as a new mass on the vulva.

The mass may not cause any symptoms or it may:

  • Be itchy
  • Be painful
  • Cause occasional vaginal spotting

A doctor may suspect vulvar cancer upon examination.

Symptoms of vulvar cancer may include:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Tenderness in the vulva
  • Abnormal and consistent itching in the vulva
  • A lump in the vulva

Testing for and Diagnosing Vulvar Cancer

Specialists at the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program use a variety of tests to diagnose and screen for vulvar cancer, including:

  • Pelvic exams
  • CT (computed tomography) scans
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
  • Ultrasound (sonography)

Vulvar Cancer Treatment at the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program

If you're diagnosed with vulvar cancer, your treatment will depend on the following factors:

  • Your age
  • The size of your tumor
  • The stage of your cancer
  • Other medical conditions

Your doctors and other specialists at the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program will work with you to consider your options and determine a course of action.

Treatment Options for Vulvar Cancer

Surgery is often the recommended treatment for vulvar cancer and may include:

  • Removal of the cancer
  • Sentinel node dissection to determine if the cancer has spread

We may also use radiation therapy following surgery to continue to shrink the tumor.

If surgery is not possible due to the size or location of your tumor, your doctor may recommend a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Comprehensive Gynecologic Cancer Care

As a patient of the Gynecologic Cancer Program, you have access to additional treatment options and services, including:

  • Clinical trials
  • Integrative, holistic medicine
  • Fertility preservation
  • Supportive care for you and your family

Make an Appointment

Call 1-866-696-2433 to make an appointment or to learn more about the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program.

Magee-Womens Hospital Gynecologic Cancer Program
300 Halket St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login