The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Vulvar cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C51 (Malignant neoplasm of vulva).
Estimated number of new cases of vulvar cancer diagnosed in 2022
420 females
Estimated % of all new female cancer cases diagnosed in 2022
0.57%
Estimated number of deaths from vulvar cancer in 2022
105 females
Estimated % of all female deaths from cancer in 2022
0.48%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2014–2018)
74%
Females living with vulvar cancer at the end of 2017 (diagnosed in the 5-year period 2013 to 2017)
1,423
New cases
In 2018, there were 348 new cases of vulvar cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that 420 new cases of vulvar cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 382 (or 0.26%) risk of being diagnosed with vulvar cancer by the age of 85.
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among females, 2022
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 2.3 cases per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 2.4 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for vulvar cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for vulvar cancer, 1982 to 2018
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for vulvar cancer over time, by age, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
The number of new cases of vulvar cancer diagnosed increased from 141 in 1982 to 348 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate remained similar from 2.1 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 2.3 cases per 100,000 females in 2018.
Deaths
In 2020, there were 104 deaths from vulvar cancer in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 105 deaths. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 1,787 (or 0.06%) risk of dying from vulvar cancer by the age of 85.
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among females, 2022
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 0.6 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 0.5 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for vulvar cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for vulvar cancer, 1982 to 2020
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for vulvar cancer over time, by age, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
The number of deaths from vulvar cancer increased from 50 in 1982 to 104 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate remained similar from 0.8 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 to 0.6 deaths per 100,000 females in 2020.
Survival
In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with vulvar cancer had a 74% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for vulvar cancer improved from 67% to 74%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for vulvar cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for vulvar cancer over time, by age, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival-diagnosis)
Prevalence
At the end of 2017, there were 353 people living who had been diagnosed with vulvar cancer that year, 1,423 people living who had been diagnosed with vulvar cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 3,641 people living who had been diagnosed with vulvar cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).
For more information, see Vulvar cancer on the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
