Early Vulvar Cancer Pictures

Vulvar cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the vulva. The external female genitals, the vulva includes the labia majora, the labia minora, and the clitoris

Early detection of vulvar cancer helps improve the likelihood of successful treatment. This is one reason annual well-women checkups are essential. At-home vulvar self-exams are also helpful for detecting precancerous changes early.

Every vulva looks different. A monthly vulvar self-exam can help women become familiar with their unique pattern, size, and coloration. This self-inspection uses a mirror (or camera) to check for skin color or texture changes, unusual growths, and sores.

This article discusses vulvar cancer and what it looks like. It also provides early vulvar cancer pictures so you know what to look for.

Woman looking in mirror in her bathrobe
JupiterImages / Getty Images

Early Vulvar Cancer Pictures

There are various types of vulvar cancers which appear different.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The most common type of vulvar cancer, squamous cell carcinoma can often be detected in precancerous stages. 

Post-contrast MRI axial imaging of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma - stock photo

Paul Biris / Getty Images

Verrucous Carcinoma

Verrucous carcinoma is a slow-growing subtype of squamous cell carcinoma that looks like a wart.

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is a relatively rare cancer that starts in the vulvar sweat glands or Bartholin’s glands on the side of the vaginal opening.

Melanoma 

A type of skin cancer, melanoma can occasional develop on the clitoris or labia minor. 

A microscopic photo from a slide of demonstrating a vulvar malignant melanoma

OGphoto / Getty Images

Sarcoma

Sarcoma is a tumor of the connective tissue beneath the skin of the vulva. 

Signs and Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

Often, there are no signs or symptoms in the very early stages of vulvar cancer. However, as the disease progresses, it can develop. Signs and symptoms of vulvar cancer vary based on the type of cancer and can include:

  • Vulvar itching, burning, or pain (itching is the most common symptom of vulvar cancer)
  • Moles on the vulva
  • Lumps or bumps (flesh-colored, white, red, or pink) on the vulva
  • Vulvar sores that don't heal
  • Vulvar skin thickening or flakiness

Vulvar cancer can vary in the way it looks and feels. It can be a flesh-colored, red, pink, or white bump, wart, mole, or sore. The skin of the vulva may look and feel thicker and have flakiness to it. It frequently causes vulvar itching but can also cause pain or burning.

What Causes Vulvar Cancer?

Vulvar cancer is caused by DNA mutations that promote cell division and tumor growth. These mutations can be something you are born with (genetic), but they commonly develop throughout your life.

For example, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the underlying cause of up to half of squamous cell cancer of the vulva. 

In women over 55, vulvar cancer is linked to p53 tumor suppressor gene mutations. This is more common in women with lichen sclerosus, a painful, itchy skin condition that can affect the vulva and skin around the anus.

Changes to the vulvar skin from HPV, lichen sclerosus, or chronic vulvar irritation can lead to vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Also known as dysplasia, VIN is a precancerous condition that can develop into cancer.

Risk Factors

The risk of vulvar cancer increases with age. Less than 20% of vulvar cancers occur in women under 50, and more than half occur in women over 70. Other risk factors include:

  • History of other genital cancers 
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 
  • HPV subtypes 16, 18, and possibly others
  • Lichen sclerosus
  • Personal or family history of melanoma
  • Smoking

How Is Vulvar Cancer Diagnosed?

Early signs of vulvar cancer are similar to non-cancerous conditions. The only way to know if it is cancer is with a test known as a biopsy. 

A biopsy uses a small sample of suspicious tissue to view under a microscope. Vulvar biopsies can be done in your gynecologist's office.

To take biopsy samples, your healthcare provider will perform a vulvoscopy using a handheld magnifying glass or colposcope—an instrument with a magnifying lens and light. 

The vulva is first treated with diluted acetic acid or a dye called toluidine blue to make it easier to identify areas of tissue changes.

If vulvar abnormalities are identified, your doctor will numb the area using a local anesthetic before taking samples.

If the area is small, it may be removed completely in what is known as an excisional biopsy. If it is larger, a punch biopsy may be done to take a small cylinder of skin, about 1/6 of an inch. In some cases, stitches may be needed.

The sample is then sent to a lab for testing. If cancer is detected, additional testing will be used to determine the stage.

Does a Vulvar Biopsy Hurt?

The most uncomfortable part of a vulvar biopsy is the local anesthetic shot given to numb the area. It is given with a tiny needle and feels like a minor sting. Once the anesthetic kicks in, you may feel pressure but no pain or discomfort. If you are concerned about the shot, ask your healthcare provider if they use a numbing cream before giving it.

How a Vulvar Self-Exam Can Help

Performing regular vulvar self-exams can help to spot any abnormalities before they become a larger problem. This includes infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), vulvar cancer, or other conditions.

A vulvar self-exam teaches you what is normal in appearance for your vulva. No two vulvas look alike, and becoming familiar with the appearance of your vulva will ensure that, if abnormalities do develop in the future, you'll notice.

How to Do a Vulvar Self-Exam

Vulvar self-exams should be done about once a month, in between menstrual cycles. If you are no longer menstruating, you should set a regular date to perform a vulvar self-exam.

To perform a vulvar self-examination, you need a handheld mirror and a private, well-lit area to complete the exam. The exam itself should only take about five to 10 minutes.

To begin a vulvar self-exam, stand, squat, or sit over the top of a handheld mirror. Make sure you can clearly see your genitals. If it makes things easier, you can ask your intimate partner to assist you with the following steps:

  • Check the area where your pubic hair grows. Look for any moles, spots, sores, skin color or texture changes, bumps, or rashes.
  • Next, find your clitoris. Look for any growths, bumps, or discoloration.
  • Check your labia majora (the outer lips) and feel for any bumps. Also, visually look for any moles, spots, sores, skin color or texture changes, bumps, or rashes.
  • Repeat this check with your labia minora (the inner lips).
  • Finally, look at your perineum. The perineum is the space located between the vagina and the anus. Again, look for moles, spots, sores, skin color or texture changes, bumps, or rashes.

Report anything suspicious or abnormal to your healthcare provider, even if it seems small.

Using a Camera for a Vulvar Self-Exam

Some women find mirrors difficult and prefer to take pictures using their smartphone cameras. This allows images to be enlarged for a better view. Follow the same instructions as above and use the flash.  

New technology is being developed to improve the accuracy of vulvar self-exams. There may soon even be an app for it.

To protect your privacy before taking a vulva selfie:

  • Check that your device's cloud-saving settings are off.
  • Do not send them to your healthcare provider without first asking permission.
  • Keep your face out of the picture.
  • Store in a private folder.

How Is Vulvar Cancer Treated?

Vulvar cancer is often treated with surgery to remove abnormal cells. In some cases, only the cancer cells and a small ring of healthy tissue around it (excision) are needed. In others, the entire vulva needs to be removed in a procedure known as a vulvectomy. 

Chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments may be needed after surgery to treat vulvar cancer.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Annual well-women checkups are recommended beginning in the teenage years. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover at least one well-woman visit a year at no cost to you.

In addition to your well-woman check-up, see your gynecologist if you experience the following:

  • Changes in vulva skin texture, such as flaking or thickening
  • Itching, burning, or pain in the vulva
  • Sores on the vulva that are slow to heal
  • Unusual growths, lumps, bumps, moles, or warts on the vulva

Summary

Vulvar cancer can be detected early for effective treatment. Monthly vulvar self-exams are recommended to help you quickly identify changes.

You can check your vulva yourself using a mirror or cell phone camera. Look for any spots, sores, changes in skin color or texture, bumps, or rashes. Some people ask their intimate partner to help and make it easier.

Report any changes to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Regardless of the cause, early detection and treatment are beneficial. One of the main reasons for the high cure rate of vulvar cancer is the ability to detect it in its early stages.

14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Brandi Jones MSN-Ed, RN-BC

By Brandi Jones, MSN-ED RN-BC
Brandi is a nurse and the owner of Brandi Jones LLC. She specializes in health and wellness writing including blogs, articles, and education.

Originally written by Lisa Fayed