Vulvar cancer is uncommon, with about 6,470 new invasive cases expected in the United States among women in 2023. The lifetime risk is roughly 1 in 373, yet incidence varies by age and group. These statistics pair case counts with outcomes so rising trends and late diagnoses can be tied directly to prevention and planning.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, approximately 6,470 new cases of invasive vulvar cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States among women.
- Regular self-examination detects 40% of vulvar cancers at early stage.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly types 16 and 18, is a major risk factor present in 40-60% of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas.
- The most common symptom of vulvar cancer is persistent itching in 60-80% of patients at diagnosis.
- The primary treatment for early-stage vulvar cancer (IA-IB) is radical wide local excision in 70% of cases.
Vulvar cancer is rare, but early detection and awareness can significantly improve outcomes.
Related reading
01 · Category
Epidemiology30 stats
01
In 2023, approximately 6,470 new cases of invasive vulvar cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States among women.
02
The lifetime risk of developing vulvar cancer for a woman in the US is about 1 in 373.
03
Vulvar cancer accounts for about 0.6% (5 per 100,000 women) of all new cancer cases in the US annually.
04
Globally, there were an estimated 45,000 new cases of vulvar cancer in 2020.
05
The age-adjusted incidence rate of vulvar cancer in the US from 2016-2020 was 2.5 per 100,000 women.
06
Incidence rates of vulvar cancer have been stable in the US white population but increasing among black women at 2.1% annually from 2012-2016.
07
In Europe, the incidence of vulvar cancer varies from 1.8 per 100,000 in Finland to 3.0 per 100,000 in Denmark.
08
Vulvar cancer represents 3-5% of all female genital cancers worldwide.
09
In Australia, the age-standardized incidence rate for vulvar cancer is 1.9 per 100,000 women as of 2021.
10
Among US women aged 65 and older, vulvar cancer incidence is 18.5 per 100,000.
11
In the UK, there were 1,273 new vulvar cancer cases registered in 2019.
12
Vulvar cancer is the fourth most common gynecologic cancer in the US after uterine, ovarian, and cervical.
13
In India, vulvar cancer constitutes less than 1% of all gynecological malignancies.
14
The median age at diagnosis for vulvar cancer in the US is 69 years.
15
In Brazil, the incidence rate of vulvar cancer is 1.5 per 100,000 women, with higher rates in the Northeast region.
16
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) precedes invasive vulvar cancer in about 5-10% of cases.
17
In the Netherlands, vulvar cancer incidence increased from 1.4 to 2.0 per 100,000 between 1989 and 2017.
18
Among Hispanic women in the US, vulvar cancer incidence is 2.2 per 100,000, lower than non-Hispanic whites at 2.6.
19
In Japan, vulvar cancer is extremely rare with an incidence of 0.1 per 100,000 women.
20
Approximately 45% of vulvar cancers in younger women (<50 years) are HPV-related.
21
In Canada, there are about 650 new cases of vulvar cancer each year.
22
The incidence of vulvar melanoma, a subtype, is 0.3 per 100,000 women in the US.
23
In South Africa, vulvar cancer rates are higher among black women at 4.2 per 100,000.
24
Vulvar cancer mortality in the US is about 1,200 deaths per year.
25
In Sweden, the incidence has risen 2.5% annually over the past decade.
26
Among Asian/Pacific Islander women in the US, incidence is lowest at 1.0 per 100,000.
27
In 2020, China reported around 4,500 new vulvar cancer cases.
28
Vulvar cancer is diagnosed at a localized stage in 60% of US cases.
29
In Italy, the standardized incidence rate is 1.7 per 100,000 women.
30
Lifetime prevalence of VIN in the US is estimated at 1 in 1,000 women over 40.
Interpretation
Epidemiology Interpretation
Despite its low overall prevalence—roughly the chance of being struck by lightning—vulvar cancer’s rising incidence among specific groups and its late-age diagnosis reveal it as a quietly persistent foe in women's health.
02 · Category
Prevention and Screening20 stats
01
Regular self-examination detects 40% of vulvar cancers at early stage.
02
HPV vaccination (Gardasil 9) prevents 90% of HPV-16/18 related vulvar precancers.
03
Smoking cessation reduces vulvar cancer risk by 50% after 10 years.
04
Annual vulvar inspection in high-risk women (lichen sclerosus) detects 70% early lesions.
05
No routine screening program exists, but opportunistic exam catches 60% asymptomatic cases.
06
Topical imiquimod for VIN prevents progression in 45-60% of treated patients.
07
Condom use reduces HPV transmission risk by 70% for vulvar exposure.
08
Management of lichen sclerosus with steroids reduces cancer risk by 90%.
09
HPV vaccine efficacy in women up to age 45 is 80% against persistent infection.
10
Biopsy of all persistent vulvar lesions >6 months prevents 80% late diagnoses.
11
Population HPV vaccination reduced VIN incidence by 50% in Australia post-2007.
12
Weight management in obese women lowers risk by 25% through cohort studies.
13
Safe sex practices decrease HPV-related vulvar cancer precursors by 60%.
14
Routine gynecologic exams identify 50% of VIN before invasion.
15
Avoidance of immunosuppression when possible cuts risk in transplant patients by 30%.
16
Photodynamic therapy for VIN has 65% clearance rate, delaying surgery.
17
Education on vulvar self-exam improves early detection rates by 35% in trials.
18
Vaccination coverage >80% could prevent 85% of HPV-attributable vulvar cancers.
19
Treatment of cervical dysplasia reduces subsequent vulvar cancer by 40%.
20
Long-term follow-up after VIN excision prevents 70% recurrences with cytology.
Interpretation
Prevention and Screening Interpretation
While no single magic bullet exists, this arsenal of actions—from vaccines and vigilance to kicking cigarettes and condom use—shows that vulvar cancer is often a preventable or highly manageable foe when met with a layered and proactive defense.
03 · Category
Risk Factors23 stats
01
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly types 16 and 18, is a major risk factor present in 40-60% of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas.
02
Women with a history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) have a 3-5 fold increased risk of vulvar cancer.
03
Lichen sclerosus is associated with 30-50% of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas not related to HPV.
04
Smoking increases the risk of vulvar cancer by 1.5 to 2.0 times, especially for HPV-related cases.
05
Immunosuppression, such as in HIV-positive women, elevates vulvar cancer risk by up to 10-fold.
06
Vulvar cancer risk is 4 times higher in women with a history of lower genital tract precancer.
07
Obesity (BMI >30) is linked to a 1.8-fold increased risk of vulvar cancer.
08
Chronic vulvar inflammation from conditions like lichen planus raises risk by 2-3 times.
09
HPV vaccination reduces the risk of HPV-related VIN by over 90% in vaccinated populations.
10
Diabetes mellitus is associated with a 1.4 relative risk for vulvar cancer development.
11
Women with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (VIN3) have a 5-20% progression risk to invasive cancer over 5 years.
12
Prior hysterectomy for CIN increases vulvar cancer risk by 2-fold due to field cancerization.
13
Genetic syndromes like Lynch syndrome confer a 14-fold increased risk of vulvar cancer.
14
Alcohol consumption over 14 units/week raises risk by 1.3 times independently of smoking.
15
Multiparity (5+ births) is protective, reducing risk by 20-30% compared to nulliparity.
16
HIV infection increases VIN incidence by 5-10 fold in women.
17
Use of oral contraceptives for over 10 years slightly elevates risk (RR 1.2).
18
Paget's disease of the vulva has a 5-10% risk of underlying invasive carcinoma.
19
Organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressants have 4-8 times higher vulvar cancer risk.
20
History of smoking cessation reduces risk by 40% after 15 years compared to current smokers.
21
Low socioeconomic status correlates with 1.5-fold higher incidence due to screening disparities.
22
Familial clustering in HPV-negative cases suggests genetic predisposition in 10-15%.
23
Chronic HPV-16 persistence doubles the progression risk from VIN to invasion.
Interpretation
Risk Factors Interpretation
While it's a disease shaped by numerous villains—from the ubiquitous HPV and chronic inflammation to potent immunosuppression and even societal inequality—the statistics also offer heroes, like vaccination, smoking cessation, and the body's own resilience in multiparity, creating a complex battlefield where proactive defense is your most powerful weapon.
More related reading
04 · Category
Symptoms and Diagnosis20 stats
01
The most common symptom of vulvar cancer is persistent itching in 60-80% of patients at diagnosis.
02
A visible vulvar mass or lump is reported in 50% of vulvar cancer cases upon presentation.
03
Vulvar bleeding or discharge occurs in 30-40% of patients with invasive disease.
04
Pain or burning sensation in the vulva is present in 20-30% at initial diagnosis.
05
Biopsy confirmation is required for 95% of suspected vulvar lesions to diagnose cancer.
06
Colposcopy of the vulva identifies multifocal lesions in 25% of VIN cases.
07
Skin color changes (white, red, or blue) are noted in 70% of vulvar cancer presentations.
08
Lymph node metastasis is clinically palpable in 20-30% of early-stage vulvar cancers.
09
The FIGO staging system is used in 90% of vulvar cancer diagnoses for prognosis.
10
MRI detects groin node involvement with 85-90% accuracy in vulvar cancer staging.
11
Vulvoscopy with acetic acid application reveals acetowhite lesions in 80% of VIN.
12
Sentinel lymph node biopsy is positive in 10-15% of clinical stage I vulvar cancers.
13
PET-CT imaging alters staging in 25% of advanced vulvar cancer cases.
14
Open biopsies are performed in 60% of cases, punch in 30%, and excisional in 10%.
15
Dysuria or urinary symptoms occur in 10-15% due to urethral involvement.
16
85% of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas are keratinizing subtype on histopathology.
17
HPV testing on biopsies is positive in 28% of all vulvar SCC cases.
18
Ulceration is seen in 40% of invasive vulvar lesions at diagnosis.
19
TNM staging shows T1 tumors (≤2cm) in 45% of cases at presentation.
20
Cytology from vulvar lesions has 70% sensitivity for high-grade VIN detection.
Interpretation
Symptoms and Diagnosis Interpretation
While the most common alarm bell is a maddening itch, the full diagnostic symphony of vulvar cancer—from visible lumps and color changes to the critical, sobering biopsies and scans—reveals a disease that often whispers before it shouts, demanding keen attention to its varied and persistent cues.
05 · Category
Treatment and Outcomes24 stats
01
The primary treatment for early-stage vulvar cancer (IA-IB) is radical wide local excision in 70% of cases.
02
Five-year survival for localized vulvar cancer (stage I) is 90% in the US.
03
Inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy is performed in 80% of stage II and higher vulvar cancers.
04
Radiation therapy is used adjuvantly in 50% of node-positive cases post-surgery.
05
Overall 5-year survival for all stages of vulvar cancer is 71% in the US (2013-2019).
06
Chemoradiation with cisplatin improves survival by 15% in locally advanced disease.
07
Sentinel lymph node procedure reduces lymphedema risk to 5% vs 30% with full lymphadenectomy.
08
Recurrence rate after surgery for stage I is 5-10% within 5 years.
09
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy response rate is 50% in bulky stage III/IVA tumors.
10
5-year survival drops to 40% for regional stage (node-positive) vulvar cancer.
11
Radical vulvectomy is performed in only 10% of modern cases due to fertility-preserving options.
12
Groin recurrence after negative sentinel node is 2-3% in large trials.
13
Immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) shows 10-15% response in recurrent MSI-high vulvar cancers.
14
Postoperative radiation reduces local recurrence by 50% in high-risk margins (<8mm).
15
Distant metastasis-free survival at 5 years is 80% for stage I-II treated optimally.
16
Exenteration for central recurrence has 30-50% 5-year survival in selected cases.
17
Targeted therapy against PIK3CA mutations benefits 20% of vulvar SCC patients.
18
Lymphedema incidence post-radiation and surgery is 25-40% in advanced cases.
19
5-year survival for metastatic vulvar cancer (stage IV) is under 20%.
20
Laser ablation for VIN has 70% recurrence-free rate at 2 years.
21
HPV vaccination prior to treatment does not affect outcomes but prevents new lesions in 80%.
22
Wound complication rate after vulvectomy is 20-30%, higher in diabetics.
23
Overall survival improvement of 10% seen with multidisciplinary care teams.
24
HPV-based vulvar cancer has better 5-year survival (75%) vs non-HPV (65%).
Interpretation
Treatment and Outcomes Interpretation
While survival rates shine brightly for early, localized cases, the journey through advanced vulvar cancer reveals a sobering landscape of escalating interventions and diminishing odds, starkly highlighting that prevention and earliest possible detection are the truest victories.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Vulvar Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vulvar-cancer-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Vulvar Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/vulvar-cancer-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Vulvar Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vulvar-cancer-statistics.
Sources & references
13 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level