How Do You Know?

Yesterday I discovered a small lump on the inside of my vulva. It was a little bit sensitive and looked red. Now i think it may have gotten bigger and it is starting to become a little painful. It isn't circular, but seems to be along the ridge of the vulva.

I once had a small round lump on the other inner side of my vulva but it came and went away twice although those did not cause any pain.

I'm only 15, have never had any sexual contact, am usually a very healthy girl and as far as i know do not have cancer in the family. I'm not sure what a tumor is supposed to feel like, but do you think it could be one? Or if not, then what are your opinions? I'm interested to know if you have vulvar cancer when did you first notice something was up and when did you seek consultation?

Hi Kristin.  Make an appointment immediately with your gynecologist.  I was actually having a colposcopy of my cervix  for CIN III and my gyno noticed the places on my vulva.  I had no idea they were there and had no symptoms, however, they came back as VIN III.  I had quite a few areas which were seen with the microscope and my gynecologic oncologist suggested I have laser surgery....which was done 1 1/2 years ago.  It was extremely painful, but I recovered well.  However, I have had follow up appointments every 6 months since them, have used 5-FU and Aldarra cream and am preparing for more surgery next week.  This time I am having surgical resection....which I hope does better than the laser.   It seems that this disease sneaks up on you as there arent always symptoms associated with it.  So dont worry or panic...just go to the doctor and explain your symptoms and tell him/her your concerns.  VIN is rare, however, it is being diagnosed more often every day (no one knows why).  If it is VIN and you have surgery, it may come back which is kinda depressing to think about.  But, from what I have learned and read over the years is that not having anything done about VIN III will almost certainly at some point in the future lead to invasive cancer.    Hope this helps a little bit.  

Lisa 

Hi, Kristin,

Just some info for you...there are more than one type of vulvar cancer.  One is often caused by HPV (human papilloma virus), a sexually transmitted disease.  So, if you've never been sexually active, then you probably don't have this kind.  Symptoms for the other kind of VC are large white spots on the vulva.  They are raised and rough to the touch.

Your reddish lump could be an ingrown hair, or something else.  so don't worry BUT just in case, you should go to the gyno.  VUlvar cancer is not something you want to take chances with.  Invasive vulvar cancer requires some surgery that you don't want to even think about. 

Okay.  Now get yourself to a doctor and let us know how you are doing.