Medical Centric

VAGINAL CANCER

Cancer, Women's Health / By

VAGINAL CANCER

Vaginal cancer is a type of cancer arising from the vagina.

  • The vaginal is a hollow channel that connects the opening of the uterus with the outer genitals.
  • At birth, a baby passes out of the body through the vagina also known as the birth canal.
  • Vaginal cancer occurs more often in women over the age of 50 but can occur at any age, even infancy.
  • If detected early, it can often be cured. Vaginal cancer that spreads beyond the vagina is much more difficult to treat.
  • While several types of cancer can spread to the vagina from other places in the body, cancer that begins in the vagina is very rare.
  • It is called primary if starts off in the vagina and secondary if cancer spreads from other body parts.
    There are two primary types of vaginal cancer:
  • Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma arises from the thin, flat cell (squamous cell) that line the surface of the vagina. It is the most common type of vaginal cell and is found most often in women aged 60 or older. Squamous cell vaginal cancer spreads slowly and usually stays near the vagina, but may spread to the bone, lungs, or liver.
  • Vaginal adenocarcinoma arises from the glandular cells. Glandular cells in the lining of the vagina make and release fluids such as mucus. Adenocarcinoma is more likely in the lungs and the lymph nodes.

CAUSES

It is not clear what causes vaginal cancer but certain risk factor has been associated with the condition, this may include

  • Age
  • Prenatal exposure Diethylstilbestrol
  • Infection with HPV type 16
  • A previous history of cervical cancer
  • Smoking
  • HIV infection
  • Chronic vulvar itching
  • Previous hysterectomy
  • Being diagnosed with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

SYMPTOMS

  • Pelvic pain, especially during sex
  • Constipation
  • Painful urination
  • Lump or mass in the vagina ‘
  • Watery vaginal discharge
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding not related to menstrual periods, for example, bleeding after intercourse.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

The doctor will first take your medical history to find out more about your symptoms and possible risk factors

Then the doctor will carry out a pelvic exam during which the outer genitals are inspected. During the pelvic exam, the doctor will also use a speculum to widen the vaginal canal and check for abnormalities in your vagina and cervix.

The doctor will do a pap smear to check for abnormal cells in the vaginal area.

If any abnormalities are detected, the doctor will carry out a colposcopy. In this procedure, a magnifying instrument called a colposcope is used to examine the vaginal walls and cervix to see where the abnormal cells are.

During the colposcopy examination, the doctor may remove a small tissue and send the sample for testing in a lab.

The stages of the cancer are determined based on how far cancer has spread. This will help the doctor to determine the best treatment option. Imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scan, and MRI can be used to determine your cancer stage.

Stage 1, cancer is confined to the vaginal wall

Stage 2, cancer has spread to the tissue next to the vaginal

Stage 3, cancer has spread further into the pelvis

Stage 4A, cancer has spread to nearby areas such as the bladder or rectum

Stage 4B, cancer has spread to areas away from the vagina such as the liver.

TREATMENT

The stages, type, your general health, and preference will determine the treatment option

Treatment option may include surgery to remove small lesions or tumors, surgery to remove either part or all of the vagina (vaginectomy), or to remove your reproductive or pelvic organ.

Radiation therapy that uses powerful, energy beams such as X-rays to kill the cancer cell

Chemotherapy that involves using medication injected intravenously or taken orally to kill the cancer cell.

Supportive care that aims to improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their families is helpful. If combined with all of the other treatments, people with cancer may live longer and feel better.