Abstract

The incidence of vulval cancer is increasing especially in women under 50 years where the proportion of cases has doubled in the past 25 years.

There are two forms of vulval cancer. The first is seen in younger women and is associated with high risk HPV infection (vulval intraepithelial neoplasia, VIN) and has many similarities with cervical cancer. The second is non-HPV related, seen in older women with chronic skin scarring, most commonly in long standing lichen sclerosus.

The changing prevalence, clinical features, natural history and the influence of treatment on the precursor lesions will be presented.