Vulvodynia: An Indicator or Even an Early Symptom of Vulvar Cancer

Vulvodynia is a symptom of chronic, painful vulvar discomfort of multicausal origin. Vulvar cancer is an underestimated cause of vulvodynia. Even early stages of vulvar neoplasia can lead to aching lesions. Three cases of vulvar carcinoma eliciting persistent pain have been diagnosed within a 2-year period. In 2 of our case studies, women had antecedent periods of vulvar pruritus of long duration (5 and 20 years, respectively). We conclude that early histologic examination of all visible vulvar lesions is necessary to exclude the presence of malignant vulvar neoplasia.