Vulval cancer statistics
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 2021
433 females
Estimated % of all new female cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
0.6%
Estimated number of deaths from vulvar cancer in 2021
107 females
Estimated % of all female deaths from cancer in 2021
0.5%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
73%
Females living with vulvar cancer at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5-year period 2012 to 2016)
1,393
New cases
In 2017, there were 359 new cases of vulvar cancer diagnosed in Australia in females. In 2021, it is estimated that 433 new cases of vulvar cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2021, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 359 (or 0.28%) risk of being diagnosed with vulvar cancer by the age of 85.
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among females, 2021
*Includes ovarian cancer and serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 2.4 cases per 100,000 females. In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 2.6 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for vulvar cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for vulvar cancer, 1982 to 2017
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of new cases of vulvar cancer diagnosed increased from 141 in 1982 to 359 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate was 2.1 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 and 2.4 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, there were 100 deaths from vulvar cancer in Australia. In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 107 deaths. In 2021, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 1,766 (or 0.06%) risk of dying from vulvar cancer by the age of 85.
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among females, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 0.5 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 0.6 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 2019
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of deaths from vulvar cancer increased from 50 in 1982 to 100 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate was 0.8 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 and 0.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, females diagnosed with vulvar cancer had a 73% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for vulvar cancer improved from 68% to 73%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for vulvar cancer, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
Prevalence
At the end of 2016, there were 366 people living who had been diagnosed with vulvar cancer that year, 1,393 people living who had been diagnosed with vulvar cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 3,503 people living who had been diagnosed with vulvar cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information on cancer data, see 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.