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).
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
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:
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.
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
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:
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.
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:
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).
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.