Vulvar Cancer Stages

A cancer’s stage explains how large the primary tumor is and how far the cancer has spread in the patient’s body. Doctors use the information to understand the disease and develop a treatment plan.

There are several different staging systems. Many of these have been created for specific kinds of cancers. Others can be used to describe several types of cancer.

The stages of vulvar cancer are set by FIGO, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. They range from stage I to stage IV. Higher numbers mean the cancer is more advanced and generally harder to treat.

Vulvar cancer stages

(Source: National Cancer Institute)

Stage I vulvar cancer

In stage I, cancer has formed. The tumor is found only in the vulva. Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB.

In stage IA, the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and has spread 1 millimeter or less into the tissue of the vulva. Cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

In stage IB, the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters or has spread more than 1 millimeter into the tissue of the vulva. Cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage II vulvar cancer

In stage II, the tumor is any size and has spread to the lower one-third of the urethra, the lower one-third of the vagina, or the lower one-third of the anus. Cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage III vulvar cancer

In stage III, the tumor is any size and has spread to the upper two-thirds of the urethra, the upper two-thirds of the vagina, the inner lining of the bladder or rectum, or to any number of lymph nodes. Stage III is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC.

In stage IIIA, cancer is found in lymph nodes in the groin that are not larger than 5 millimeters.

In stage IIIB, cancer is found in lymph nodes in the groin that are larger than 5 millimeters.

In stage IIIC, cancer is found in lymph nodes in the groin and has extended through the outer covering of the lymph nodes.

Stage IV vulvar cancer

In stage IV, the tumor is any size and has become attached to the bone, or cancer has spread to lymph nodes that are not movable or have become ulcerated, or there is distant spread. Stage IV is divided into stages IVA and IVB.

In stage IVA, the cancer is attached to the pelvic bone or has spread to lymph nodes in the groin that are not movable or have become ulcerated.

In stage IVB, the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to distant parts of the body.