Gynecologic cancer | Vaginal cancer
What is cancer of the vagina? What are its causes and risk
factors?
How is vaginal cancer diagnosed?
How is vaginal cancer staged?
How is vaginal cancer treated?
What is cancer of the vagina? What are its causes and risk factors?
Cancer of the vagina is a rare form of gynecological cancer found
in the tissues of the vagina. There are two primary types of vaginal
cancer with different pathogeneses and natural histories. Because they
have different routes of spread, they are treated differently. Eighty-five
per cent are squamous cell type, usually found in older women. Adenocarcinomas
are less common, and are typically found in younger women. Women whose
mothers took DES (diethylstilbestrol) while pregnant are at risk for
the rare, clear cell adenocarcinomas. Vaginal melanomas, sarcomas, and
adenosquamous varieties are rare, but also reported..
How is vaginal cancer diagnosed?
Symptoms of cancer of the vagina include discharge or abnormal bleeding,
difficult or painful urination, and pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.
The diagnosis is made following a pelvic examination and a PAP smear
of the cervix and vaginal walls. If abnormal cells are found in the
PAP, a small sample of vaginal tissue is taken for biopsy.
How is vaginal cancer staged?
Stages are defined by FIGO or the AJCC TNM classifications. T categories
respond to FIGO stages:
Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ or very early cancer, found in
only a few layers of cells
Stage I: Tumor confined to the vagina
Stage II: Tumor has spread to the tissues just outside the
vagina but not to pelvic sidewall
Stage III: Tumor has spread to pelvic sidewall and may have
spread to other organs and lymph nodes in the pelvis
Stage IV: Tumor invades bladder or rectum and/or extends
beyond true pelvis
How is vaginal cancer treated?
Therapy alternatives depend on stage and histology. Either surgery
or radiation is effective for early-stage disease; radiation is the
primary treatment for more advanced cancer.
Surgery is the most common treatment for all stages of cancer of the
vagina. Laser surgery and local wide excisions may be performed for
early stage cancers. Vaginectomy, radical hysterectomy, or exenteration
may used to treat more advanced cancers. External and/or internal radiation
may be used alone or after surgery.
Chemotherapy may be given by pill, through a vein, or intravaginally
Source:
NCI/PDQ
for Vaginal Cancer updated 2/2000
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