Associations and Similarities Between Breast Cancer and Vulvar Cancer: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer and vulvar cancer are two distinct types of gynecological tumors with different clinical presentations; nonetheless, they share notable molecular, genetic, and epidemiological characteristics. This narrative literature review aims to synthesize existing data to elucidate the shared risk factors, genetic modifications, and pathophysiological mechanisms linking these two malignancies. Material and methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Oxford Journals Library databases was performed to locate peer-reviewed research published up to 2026. The search was performed according to the following terms: “Associations and similarities between breast cancer and vulvar cancer”. Studies assessing epidemiological linkages, common genetic associations, or particular types of malignancies such as “Primary vulvar adenocarcinoma of mammary gland type (AMGT)” were included for qualitative synthesis. Results: The search for “Associations and similarities between breast cancer and vulvar cancer”, “breast metastases from vulvar cancer” and “vulvar metastases from breast cancer” returned various results, which were synthetized into seven main subjects: (1) breast-like tissue in the vulva, a topic which develops the themes of ectopic breast tissue, mammary-like glands and shared diseases; (2) mammary-like adenocarcinoma of the vulva (a rare form with relevant diagnostic markers); (3) metastatic and overlapping origins; (4) genetic and hormonal connections, comprising BRCA mutations and hormonal sensitivity; (5) the role of viruses such as HPV in the etiology of both cancers, a highly controversial subject in the contemporary scientific literature; (6) recurrence patterns; and (7) prognostic factors. Conclusions: Tumors of the breast and vulva have notable biochemical and genetic interrelations that surpass their distinct classifications. Recognizing these associations is essential for developing targeted screening techniques, identifying high-risk people, and exploring dual-efficacy therapeutic options.