Overview
Vulvar carcinoma (also called vulvar cancer or cancer of the vulva) is a type of cancer that develops in the outer female genital area, known as the vulva. This includes the labia majora (outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), clitoris, and the opening of the vagina. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the flat skin cells of the vulva. Less common types include melanoma, adenocarcinoma, and Bartholin gland cancer. The ICD-10 code C51.8 refers specifically to overlapping lesions of the vulva, meaning the cancer involves more than one part of the vulvar area. Vulvar carcinoma often develops slowly, sometimes starting as a pre-cancerous condition called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Key symptoms include persistent itching, pain, or burning in the vulvar area, unusual skin changes such as thickening or color changes, and sores or lumps that do not heal. Some women notice bleeding not related to their period or a painful lump. Treatment depends on the stage and location of the cancer and may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. When caught early, vulvar carcinoma can often be treated successfully. Regular gynecological check-ups and prompt attention to unusual symptoms are very important for early detection and better outcomes.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Persistent itching in the vulvar areaBurning or stinging sensation in the vulvaPain or tenderness in the vulvar regionA lump, bump, or thickened area of skin on the vulvaSkin color changes such as red, white, or dark patchesAn open sore or ulcer that does not healBleeding not related to menstruationUnusual discharge from the vulvaPainful urinationSwollen lymph nodes in the groin area
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsQueensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer — PHASE3
National Cancer Institute, Naples
National Cancer Institute, Naples — PHASE2
Cukurova University
Hospital Universitario La Paz — NA
AGO Research GmbH — PHASE2
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Vulvar carcinoma.
20 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Vulvar carcinoma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Vulvar carcinoma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Vulvar carcinoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: NODE (groiN ultrasOunD cancEr)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Immunotherapy-related CRP Kinetics in Metastatic Gynecological Malignancies
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Groningen International Study on Sentinel Nodes in Vulvar Cancer-III
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: STRatIfication of Vulvar SCC by HPV and p53 Status to Guide Excision
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Serial MRI Scans During Radiation Therapy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Treatment of Metastatic Vulvar Carcinoma With Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Chemotherapy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Carbon Nanoparticle-Loaded Iron in the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumor
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Cancer Loyalty Card Study 2 (CLOCS-2)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: The Effect of Dose and Storage Conditions of Indocyanine Green on Efficacy and Cost in Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Gynecological Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Pembrolizumab Combination With Lenvatinib in Pts With Recurrent,Persistent,Metastatic or Locally Advanced Vulvar Cancer Not Amenable to Curative Surgery or Radiotherapy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Vulvar carcinoma
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my vulvar cancer and what does that mean for my treatment options?,What type of surgery do you recommend, and how will it affect the appearance and function of my vulva?,Will I need radiation therapy or chemotherapy in addition to surgery, and what are the side effects?,What is the chance that the cancer could come back, and how will we monitor for that?,Are there clinical trials available that I might be eligible for?,How might treatment affect my sexual health and quality of life, and what support is available?,Should I be tested for HPV or have genetic counseling given my family history?
Common questions about Vulvar carcinoma
What is Vulvar carcinoma?
Vulvar carcinoma (also called vulvar cancer or cancer of the vulva) is a type of cancer that develops in the outer female genital area, known as the vulva. This includes the labia majora (outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), clitoris, and the opening of the vagina. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the flat skin cells of the vulva. Less common types include melanoma, adenocarcinoma, and Bartholin gland cancer. The ICD-10 code C51.8 refers specifically to overlapping lesions of the vulva, meaning the cancer involves more than one part of the vulvar area. Vulva
How is Vulvar carcinoma inherited?
Vulvar carcinoma follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Vulvar carcinoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Vulvar carcinoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Vulvar carcinoma?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Vulvar carcinoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Vulvar carcinoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Vulvar carcinoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.