Melanomas can be harder to spot on the vulva, because it's an area of the body that's often overlooked. The vulva consists of the clitoris, the inner lips or labia minora, and the outer lips or labia majora. Roughly 5 percent of melanomas in women occur on the vulva, usually on the labium minora or the clitoris. Melanomas can develop in normal-appearing skin or in a preexisting mole. While melanoma usually occurs in younger individuals between the ages of 30 and 40, vulvar melanoma strikes older women, between 50 and 80.
Some lesions are noticeable for their color, others cause itching, bleeding or discharge.
But in half the cases women have no symptoms, and the lesion is found during a routine pelvic exam . Melanomas can spread but are cureable when caught early, so don't delay. Have a thorough skin exam once a year to look for any new lesions or changes in existing moles. Suspicious lesions need to be biopsied. It's also a good idea to do a self-exam, checking yourself with a mirror.