Vaginal cancer is an uncommon disease in which cancer cells grow from the cells of the vaginal lining. The vagina is a tube that connects the vulva (external female genitals) to the cervix (lower end of the uterus). The vagina is also called the “birth canal.”
Cancer occurs when cells in the body (in this case vagina cells) divide without control or order. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue, called a growth or tumor, forms. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor does not invade or spread.
There are two forms of vaginal cancer:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
The following factors increase your chance of developing vaginal cancer:
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to vaginal cancer. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.
Symptoms include:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in women’s health (a gynecologist).
Tests may include:
If cancer is found, additional tests are usually performed to determine whether or not it has spread to other parts of the pelvis or elsewhere in the body. Imaging studies (similar to x-rays ), such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance , are often used for this purpose.
Once vaginal cancer is found, staging tests are performed to find out if the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body. Treatments for vaginal cancer depend on the stage of the cancer.
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Radiation therapy is the use of high-dose radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation is usually directed at the tumor from a source outside the body. In some cases, radioactive material may be temporarily placed near the tumor to expose the cancerous cells to a constant level of radiation; this is called an implant and generally requires a short hospital stay. Other radiation treatments are outpatient.
This involves the surgical removal of a cancerous tumor and nearby tissues, and possibly lymph nodes. Depending on how far the cancer has spread outside the vagina, the doctor may remove the vagina, cervix, uterus, and sometimes the bladder, rectum, and parts of the colon.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. This treatment may be given as a topical cream, pill, or intravenous injection. Except for topical creams, in which the drug is applied directly on the walls of the vagina, chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells, but also some healthy cells.
While a Pap smear is an effective screening tool for cervical cancer, it cannot be relied upon to detect vaginal cancer. However, regular gynecologic examinations may reduce the mortality from vaginal cancer by providing your physician with the opportunity to detect it earlier. Moreover, informing your physician that you may have been exposed to DES in the womb will enable him or her to provide even closer surveillance.
Also, a vaccine to prevent HPV infection has been developed, and can prevent both vaginal and cervical cancers related to HPV infection. Talk to your doctor to learn more about this vaccine.
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
http://www.thegcf.org
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
BC Cancer Agency
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/default.htm
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca
Canadian Women's Health Network
http://www.cwhn.ca
References:
Frank SJ, Jhingran A, Levenback C, et al. Definitive radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys . 2005;62:138-147.
Vaginal cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=55 . Accessed July 12, 2005.
Vaginal cancer. Gynecological Oncology Health Guide website. Available at: http://www/umm.edu/gyn/vaginal.htm . Accessed July 12, 2005.
Vaginal cancer (PDQ) treatment. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/vagina/patient . Accessed July 12, 2005.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Mohei Abouzied, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.