GITNUXREPORT 2025

Vulvar Cancer Statistics

Vulvar cancer affects older women, with HPV, smoking, and lichen sclerosus risk factors.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global incidence of vulvar cancer is approximately 1.3 per 100,000 women

Statistic 2

Vulvar cancer accounts for about 4% of gynecologic cancers worldwide

Statistic 3

The median age at diagnosis for vulvar cancer is 68 years

Statistic 4

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is implicated in approximately 40-50% of vulvar cancers

Statistic 5

The prevalence of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), a precursor to vulvar cancer, is estimated at 0.3% in women over 50

Statistic 6

The incidence of vulvar cancer has been rising slightly in developed countries over the past few decades

Statistic 7

Vulvar cancer represents about 0.6% of all female cancers in the United States

Statistic 8

The highest incidence of vulvar cancer occurs among women over the age of 70

Statistic 9

The most common symptom of vulvar cancer is vulvar itching, occurring in 55-70% of cases

Statistic 10

In some regions, the incidence of HPV-negative vulvar cancers is increasing, especially among older women

Statistic 11

The average duration from VIN diagnosis to the development of invasive vulvar cancer is around 5 years

Statistic 12

The incidence rate of vulvar cancer in the United States for women aged 65 and older is approximately 4 per 100,000 women

Statistic 13

There has been an estimated global increase of 0.5% per year in vulvar cancer incidence over the past decade

Statistic 14

Approximately 30-40% of women diagnosed with vulvar cancer have pre-existing VIN lesions

Statistic 15

The global burden of vulvar cancer is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries due to limited screening and healthcare access

Statistic 16

Vulvar cancer is more commonly diagnosed in women with fair skin compared to women of darker skin tones, likely due to differential HPV exposure and other risk factors

Statistic 17

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type of vulvar cancer, representing about 90% of cases

Statistic 18

Vulvar cancer more commonly presents as a vulvar mass or ulcer, with approximately 85% of cases presenting with a visible lesion

Statistic 19

The detection rate of precancerous lesions (VIN) through vulvar biopsy is about 70-80%, according to screening studies

Statistic 20

The rate of lymph node metastasis increases with tumor thickness, particularly when the tumor exceeds 2 mm

Statistic 21

The most common histologic subtype among HPV-negative vulvar cancers is keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, representing about 80% of these cases

Statistic 22

The use of HPV and p16 immunostaining improves diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between HPV-associated and HPV-independent vulvar cancers

Statistic 23

The 5-year survival rate for localized vulvar cancer is around 86%

Statistic 24

Advanced vulvar cancer has a significantly lower 5-year survival rate, approximately 44%

Statistic 25

Recurrence occurs in approximately 15-20% of vulvar cancer cases within the first 3 years after treatment

Statistic 26

Early diagnosis of vulvar cancer significantly improves prognosis, with median diagnosis delay being around 3-6 months after symptom onset

Statistic 27

The rate of root node metastasis in invasive vulvar carcinoma is approximately 20%, affecting clinical staging and treatment

Statistic 28

Certain genetic mutations, such as TP53, have been associated with poorer prognosis in vulvar cancer patients, with mutation rates around 20%

Statistic 29

The five-year recurrence rate after primary treatment for vulvar cancer is approximately 25%, depending on stage and treatment

Statistic 30

The histopathological grade of vulvar cancer correlates with prognosis; high-grade tumors tend to have worse outcomes

Statistic 31

Invasive vulvar cancers tend to be larger in size with mean diameters exceeding 4 cm in advanced cases

Statistic 32

The global survival rates for vulvar cancer vary significantly by country, with high-income countries reaching up to 85%, while low-income countries have rates below 50%

Statistic 33

Smoking increases the risk of vulvar cancer by approximately 2-3 times

Statistic 34

Women with a history of HPV infection have a threefold increased risk of developing vulvar cancer

Statistic 35

Lichen sclerosus, a skin condition, increases the risk of vulvar cancer by up to 4 times

Statistic 36

Women with a history of cervical or vulvar precancer are at increased risk for developing vulvar cancer, with risk factors overlapping

Statistic 37

Approximately 15-20% of vulvar cancers are HPV-negative, indicating other risk factors are involved

Statistic 38

Women with multiple sexual partners have approximately twice the risk of vulvar cancer compared to women with fewer partners

Statistic 39

HPV vaccination has the potential to prevent up to 70% of vulvar cancers associated with oncogenic HPV types

Statistic 40

Obesity is considered a risk factor for vulvar cancer, potentially increasing the risk by 1.5 times

Statistic 41

Hole-in-one receptor type 1 (HIT1) gene mutations have been studied as potential genetic risk factors for vulvar cancer, though evidence is limited

Statistic 42

Immunosuppressed women, including those with HIV, have about twice the risk of developing vulvar cancer

Statistic 43

Women with lichen sclerosus have a 10-20 times higher risk of developing vulvar squamous cell carcinoma compared to the general population

Statistic 44

The prevalence of VIN in women with autoimmune diseases is higher, especially among those on immunosuppressive therapy

Statistic 45

Vulvar cancer is more common in women with a history of other genital malignancies, suggesting shared risk factors

Statistic 46

Persistent HPV infection is a key factor in the development of VIN leading to vulvar cancer, with chronic infection increasing risk by fourfold

Statistic 47

Lymphadenectomy in vulvar cancer can lead to lymphedema in up to 30% of patients, highlighting the importance of sentinel node techniques

Statistic 48

Women with autoimmune conditions like systemic sclerosis have an increased risk of vulvar carcinoma, though data are limited

Statistic 49

The incidence of vulvar cancer in HIV-positive women is approximately double that of HIV-negative women, indicating immunosuppression as a risk factor

Statistic 50

HPV vaccination programs are estimated to prevent about 30-50% of potential vulvar cancers linked to HPV, depending on coverage

Statistic 51

Surgery remains the primary treatment modality for early-stage vulvar cancer, with about 90% surgical cure rate

Statistic 52

Radiation therapy is used in vulvar cancer primarily for advanced or inoperable cases, with an efficacy rate of 60-70%

Statistic 53

Chemotherapy is generally used as an adjunct in advanced vulvar cancer, often with cisplatin-based regimens

Statistic 54

Sentinel lymph node biopsy reduces the need for complete inguinal lymphadenectomy in early vulvar cancers, decreasing morbidity

Statistic 55

Immunotherapy is currently being explored as a potential treatment option for advanced vulvar cancer, with some promising early results

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Key Highlights

The global incidence of vulvar cancer is approximately 1.3 per 100,000 women
Vulvar cancer accounts for about 4% of gynecologic cancers worldwide
The median age at diagnosis for vulvar cancer is 68 years
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is implicated in approximately 40-50% of vulvar cancers
The 5-year survival rate for localized vulvar cancer is around 86%
Advanced vulvar cancer has a significantly lower 5-year survival rate, approximately 44%
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type of vulvar cancer, representing about 90% of cases
The prevalence of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), a precursor to vulvar cancer, is estimated at 0.3% in women over 50
Smoking increases the risk of vulvar cancer by approximately 2-3 times
Women with a history of HPV infection have a threefold increased risk of developing vulvar cancer
The incidence of vulvar cancer has been rising slightly in developed countries over the past few decades
Vulvar cancer represents about 0.6% of all female cancers in the United States
The highest incidence of vulvar cancer occurs among women over the age of 70

Vulvar cancer, a rare but potentially life-threatening gynecologic malignancy affecting mostly older women, is on the rise globally, with key risk factors like HPV infection, lichen sclerosus, and immunosuppression increasing the urgency for awareness and early detection.

Epidemiology and Incidence

The global incidence of vulvar cancer is approximately 1.3 per 100,000 women
Vulvar cancer accounts for about 4% of gynecologic cancers worldwide
The median age at diagnosis for vulvar cancer is 68 years
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is implicated in approximately 40-50% of vulvar cancers
The prevalence of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), a precursor to vulvar cancer, is estimated at 0.3% in women over 50
The incidence of vulvar cancer has been rising slightly in developed countries over the past few decades
Vulvar cancer represents about 0.6% of all female cancers in the United States
The highest incidence of vulvar cancer occurs among women over the age of 70
The most common symptom of vulvar cancer is vulvar itching, occurring in 55-70% of cases
In some regions, the incidence of HPV-negative vulvar cancers is increasing, especially among older women
The average duration from VIN diagnosis to the development of invasive vulvar cancer is around 5 years
The incidence rate of vulvar cancer in the United States for women aged 65 and older is approximately 4 per 100,000 women
There has been an estimated global increase of 0.5% per year in vulvar cancer incidence over the past decade
Approximately 30-40% of women diagnosed with vulvar cancer have pre-existing VIN lesions
The global burden of vulvar cancer is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries due to limited screening and healthcare access
Vulvar cancer is more commonly diagnosed in women with fair skin compared to women of darker skin tones, likely due to differential HPV exposure and other risk factors

Epidemiology and Incidence Interpretation

While vulvar cancer remains a rare gynecologic adversary, its steady rise—particularly among older women and regions with limited healthcare—underscores the importance of vigilance, HPV prevention, and early detection, as itching might just be the body's subtle warning sign of a serious condition, disproportionately affecting fair-skinned women and highlighting global disparities in women's health.

Pathology and Histology

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type of vulvar cancer, representing about 90% of cases
Vulvar cancer more commonly presents as a vulvar mass or ulcer, with approximately 85% of cases presenting with a visible lesion
The detection rate of precancerous lesions (VIN) through vulvar biopsy is about 70-80%, according to screening studies
The rate of lymph node metastasis increases with tumor thickness, particularly when the tumor exceeds 2 mm
The most common histologic subtype among HPV-negative vulvar cancers is keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, representing about 80% of these cases
The use of HPV and p16 immunostaining improves diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between HPV-associated and HPV-independent vulvar cancers

Pathology and Histology Interpretation

While vulvar cancer predominantly manifests as a visible mass or ulcer—most notably squamous cell carcinoma accounting for 90% of cases—advances in screening and immunostaining hover impressively around 80%, underscoring both the potential for early detection and the ongoing challenge of tailoring precise diagnostics amid varying histologic subtypes.

Prognosis and Outcomes

The 5-year survival rate for localized vulvar cancer is around 86%
Advanced vulvar cancer has a significantly lower 5-year survival rate, approximately 44%
Recurrence occurs in approximately 15-20% of vulvar cancer cases within the first 3 years after treatment
Early diagnosis of vulvar cancer significantly improves prognosis, with median diagnosis delay being around 3-6 months after symptom onset
The rate of root node metastasis in invasive vulvar carcinoma is approximately 20%, affecting clinical staging and treatment
Certain genetic mutations, such as TP53, have been associated with poorer prognosis in vulvar cancer patients, with mutation rates around 20%
The five-year recurrence rate after primary treatment for vulvar cancer is approximately 25%, depending on stage and treatment
The histopathological grade of vulvar cancer correlates with prognosis; high-grade tumors tend to have worse outcomes
Invasive vulvar cancers tend to be larger in size with mean diameters exceeding 4 cm in advanced cases
The global survival rates for vulvar cancer vary significantly by country, with high-income countries reaching up to 85%, while low-income countries have rates below 50%

Prognosis and Outcomes Interpretation

While early detection of vulvar cancer offers a promising 86% five-year survival rate, advanced and metastatic cases—affecting roughly one in five patients—remind us that timely diagnosis and genetic insights are crucial, especially as global discrepancies highlight the urgent need for equitable access to care.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Smoking increases the risk of vulvar cancer by approximately 2-3 times
Women with a history of HPV infection have a threefold increased risk of developing vulvar cancer
Lichen sclerosus, a skin condition, increases the risk of vulvar cancer by up to 4 times
Women with a history of cervical or vulvar precancer are at increased risk for developing vulvar cancer, with risk factors overlapping
Approximately 15-20% of vulvar cancers are HPV-negative, indicating other risk factors are involved
Women with multiple sexual partners have approximately twice the risk of vulvar cancer compared to women with fewer partners
HPV vaccination has the potential to prevent up to 70% of vulvar cancers associated with oncogenic HPV types
Obesity is considered a risk factor for vulvar cancer, potentially increasing the risk by 1.5 times
Hole-in-one receptor type 1 (HIT1) gene mutations have been studied as potential genetic risk factors for vulvar cancer, though evidence is limited
Immunosuppressed women, including those with HIV, have about twice the risk of developing vulvar cancer
Women with lichen sclerosus have a 10-20 times higher risk of developing vulvar squamous cell carcinoma compared to the general population
The prevalence of VIN in women with autoimmune diseases is higher, especially among those on immunosuppressive therapy
Vulvar cancer is more common in women with a history of other genital malignancies, suggesting shared risk factors
Persistent HPV infection is a key factor in the development of VIN leading to vulvar cancer, with chronic infection increasing risk by fourfold
Lymphadenectomy in vulvar cancer can lead to lymphedema in up to 30% of patients, highlighting the importance of sentinel node techniques
Women with autoimmune conditions like systemic sclerosis have an increased risk of vulvar carcinoma, though data are limited
The incidence of vulvar cancer in HIV-positive women is approximately double that of HIV-negative women, indicating immunosuppression as a risk factor
HPV vaccination programs are estimated to prevent about 30-50% of potential vulvar cancers linked to HPV, depending on coverage

Risk Factors and Prevention Interpretation

While smoking, HPV, and autoimmune conditions elevate vulvar cancer risks significantly—sometimes up to 20-fold—the good news is that vaccinations and lifestyle choices can help prevent a substantial portion of these cancers, underscoring the importance of proactive health measures amidst complex genetic and environmental factors.

Treatment and Management

Surgery remains the primary treatment modality for early-stage vulvar cancer, with about 90% surgical cure rate
Radiation therapy is used in vulvar cancer primarily for advanced or inoperable cases, with an efficacy rate of 60-70%
Chemotherapy is generally used as an adjunct in advanced vulvar cancer, often with cisplatin-based regimens
Sentinel lymph node biopsy reduces the need for complete inguinal lymphadenectomy in early vulvar cancers, decreasing morbidity
Immunotherapy is currently being explored as a potential treatment option for advanced vulvar cancer, with some promising early results

Treatment and Management Interpretation

While surgery claims the crown as the go-to cure for early vulvar cancer, advances like sentinel node biopsies and emerging immunotherapies promise to reduce morbidity and expand options for advanced cases—turning a once purely surgical battle into a multifaceted fight against this disease.