I am only posting on this board because I don't see one for "Vulvar" cancer. I have no idea whether or not I have cancer of any kind at this point, but I am having symptoms that I am very concerned about. I have HPV, and every 6 months I go for a pap smear to make sure nothing has progressed. However, for about a year now I have had worsening symptoms.

I have what appears to be a "lump" on my labia majora ...down low...just below and to the left of my vaginal opening. Over the past week, it has been accompanied by pain in that area...even on my groin (between my leg and abdomen). To describe the pain best, it feels kind of like someone has "kicked me" down there.

I have also had worsening sciatic nerve pain in back of my leg...and near tailbone. I don't know if the sciatic nerve pain is connected to the groin/vulva pain & swelling...but you just never know. Anyone have any symptoms like this? I saw my oncologist/gyn back in December and told him about the swelling area on vulva...and I guess since it's hard to see...he dismissed it. Ugh. I think it's gotten larger. I do have some itching occasionally...and self-diagnosed that as hsv-1 (the only reason I know I have that is because of a blood test I took it upon myself to have done). And since I do have the genital itching...I assumed it was genital hsv...and not oral. (a blood test only tells you if you have hsv...but doesn't tell you where).

The lump could also be your bartholin gland or a cyst or some type. Are you seeing the oncologist gyne because of the abnormal paps? I think maybe you should try and see him again and get it checked. If he refuses or dismisses the idea, then it's time to find another doctor.

I did have a lump in that area at one time, it was a bartholin cyst that eventually went away. However, i did not ever experience any pain or discomfort with it, doesn't mean it is always painless though, I have heard they can become quite uncomfortable.

Hope this helps a little.

Thank you for your reply. I think the Bartholin gland (sp?) is located a little closer to the vaginal opening...whereas what I am experiencing is down a little further. I am rather upset that my oncologist/gyn so easily "dismissed" it the last time I saw him. Yes, the only reason I started going to him is because my gyn sent me over to him to have a colposcopy...and then...he kind of talked me into coming to see him for my regular pap smears. (I kind of regret doing this, because for one thing....he's a specialist, so everytime I see him I have to pay a much higher co-pay...plus...he doesn't seem to take any of my concerns very seriously).

Maybe it is a cyst. However, it doesn't drain at all. It's just like a little raised area....as if there were a "pea" or something underneath. Trying to self-diagnos myself isn't very easy...driving me crazy! :)