Vulvar cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects vulva of women. Not to be confused with the vagina, the vulva encompasses the labia majora and labia minora, folds of skin that protect the vaginal and urethral openings.

There are several types of vulvar cancer, but squamous cell vulvar carcinoma is most common. It accounts for more than 90% of diagnosed cases. Melanoma of the vulva is the second most common and represents about 5% of women with vulvar cancer. Other types include Paget's Disease of the vulva, vulvar adenocarcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma, but these are much less common.

Causes and Risk Factors of Vulvar Cancer
Although researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact causes of vulvar cancer, they have identified known risk factors for the disease. Vulvar cancer risk factors include:

being infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV)
being infected with HIV
having lichen sclerosis, a skin condition that affects the vulva
smoking
family history of melanoma
being 70 or over (vulvar cancer, however, can be diagnosed in younger women)