Healthcare: Cancer Care

About Vaginal Cancer

Master
Heading

What Is Vaginal Cancer?

Content

Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer that forms in the vagina, the small canal that runs from the uterus to outside the body (also known as the birth canal).

There are two main types of vaginal cancer:

Squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type, forms in the cells lining the vagina. It is found most often in women age 60 or older.

Adenocarcinoma is cancer that begins in the glandular (secretory) cells in the lining of the vagina. It is found most often in women age 30 or younger.

Vaginal cancer can often be cured in its early stages. A Pap test can find abnormal cells that may be cancer.

Heading

What Causes Vaginal Cancer?

Content

Factors that may increase a woman's risk include:

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The majority of vaginal cancers are thought to be caused by HPV. 
  • A history of abnormal cells in the vagina, a precancerous condition called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN)
  • Age 50 or older
  • Multiple sexual partners
  • HIV Infection
  • Early age at first intercourse
  • Smoking
  • Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) while in the mother's womb (taken off market in 1971). The risk was seen in younger women and it is not clear whether the risk persists as women age. 
Heading

What Are the Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer?

Content

Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. If symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Watery vaginal discharge
  • A vaginal lump
  • Pelvic pain
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Painful urination
Heading

How Is Vaginal Cancer Diagnosed?

Content

Diagnosis may include:

Heading

Additional Testing

Content

If the diagnosis is vaginal cancer, more tests may be run to determine the extent or "stage" of the disease - how far the cancer cells have spread and the best treatment strategy.

These tests may include:

  • Biopsies - to test tissue samples from other areas
  • Imaging tests - such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), and PET scans (positron emission tomography)
  • Additional tests that are occasionally performed are: 
Heading

How Is Vaginal Cancer Treated?

Content

Treatment depends on the individual patient and their cancer, but may include one or more of the following:

  • Surgery - to remove or destroy the cancerous tissue
  • Radiation - Radiation treatments use high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells
  • Chemotherapy - the use of medications typically given intravenously (through a vein), to make the radiation more effective and to stop the growth/spread of cancer cells
Heading

Can Vaginal Cancer Be Prevented?

Content

While there is no proven way to prevent vaginal cancer, it may be possible to reduce your risk through:

  • HPV vaccination
  • Routine pelvic exams and Pap tests
  • Smoking cessation