Risk Factors
A risk factor is a characteristic, behavior, or condition that raises the possibility of getting a disease. Here are some known risk factors for developing vulvar cancer:
Age
Your risk for developing vulvar cancer increases with age. Most women who are diagnosed with invasive vulvar cancer are about 70 years old.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Infection with HPV may increase the risk of developing vulvar cancer. Most people have been infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but the disease resolves on its own. In some women, the infection does not go away by itself and may lead to precancerous changes.
Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN)
VIN is a disease caused by HPV that causes pre-cancerous lesions to form on the vulva. These precancerous lesions may become squamous cell carcinoma over time.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Infection with HIV may increase a woman's risk for developing vulvar cancer. HIV depletes the immune system and makes women with HPV more likely to develop VIN.
Smoking
Women who smoke cigarettes are more likely to get vulvar cancer. Harmful substances in cigarettes get absorbed by the bloodstream and may contribute to VIN and cancer.
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Cervical cancer
Having a history of cervical cancer or precancerous lesions in the cervix may increase your risk for developing vulvar cancer. These two diseases share many common risk factors.
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Melanoma or Atypical Mole Syndrome
Women who have had melanoma of the skin or atypical mole syndrome may be at an increased risk for developing melanoma of the vulva. Women with a family history of melanoma are also at an increased risk.
