Can HPV infection cause vulvar cancer?

HPV infection is not the only pathway to vulvar cancer, and infection itself is not a cancer diagnosis. Many infections clear without causing lasting cell changes.

When high-risk HPV remains in vulvar skin cells, viral proteins can disturb the mechanisms that restrain cell growth. This may lead to a precancerous condition before invasive cancer develops. A separate pathway can be associated with chronic vulvar skin disease rather than HPV, which is why an examination matters even without a known infection.

A clinician may recognise an area that needs closer inspection, but its appearance cannot provide a definite diagnosis. A biopsy removes a small sample and allows the cells to be checked for inflammation, a skin disorder, precancer, or cancer.

Request an appointment for persistent vulvar itching, burning, soreness, a lump, an ulcer that does not heal, unexplained bleeding, or a patch that differs from the surrounding skin in colour, thickness, or texture. Avoid repeatedly treating a continuing change as thrush or irritation without an examination.

Describe exactly where the change is and how it has evolved. If useful, keep a private note of symptoms before the visit. Discuss HPV vaccination eligibility and avoid tobacco, while following any scheduled review for previous vulvar cell changes or a chronic vulvar skin condition.

Arrange prompt assessment when a vulvar lump, ulcer, thickened area, changing patch, bleeding, or persistent itch has no clear explanation or fails to improve. Seek urgent care if bleeding is heavy, pain becomes severe, you feel faint, or rapidly increasing swelling makes urination difficult.

Ask whether the area could represent a skin condition, infection, precancerous change, or another cause, and whether a biopsy would distinguish them. If abnormal cells are found, ask whether they appear HPV-related, whether other nearby areas need checking, and what follow-up is recommended.