Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops in the vagina, which is the muscular tube that connects your uterus to your outer genitals. Vaginal cancer is most usually found in the cells that line the surface of your vagina, also known as the birth canal.
While cancer can move from other parts of your body to your vagina, cancer that develops in your vagina is uncommon. Early-stage vaginal cancer has the best chance of being cured. Treatment for vaginal cancer that has progressed beyond the vagina is substantially more challenging.
Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer
Early vaginal cancer may not produce any symptoms. Vaginal cancer may cause the following signs and symptoms as it progresses:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding, such as after a sexual encounter or after menopause
- Vaginal discharge that is watery
- A tumor or lump in your vagina
- Urination that hurts
- Urine frequency
- Constipation
- Pelvic discomfort
Vaginal cancer types
Cancer of the squamous cells. This is far and away from the most common. Cancer develops in the flat, thin cells that line your vagina. This type spreads slowly and tends to stay close to where it begins, although it can travel to other parts of your body, such as your liver, lungs, or bones. This kind is most common in older women. Women aged 60 and up an account for nearly half of all new cases.
Adenocarcinoma. This type begins in glandular cells in the vaginal lining, which produce mucus and other fluids. It's more likely to spread to other parts of your body, such as your lungs and lymph nodes in your groin.
Cancer of the clear cell. This is an even rarer kind of adenocarcinoma. It frequently affects women whose mothers used the hormone diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy.
Vaginal cancer causes
- Are 60 years old
- Were they exposed to DES
- Consuming alcoholic beverages
- Have you been diagnosed with cervical cancer or precancerous lesions?
- Have HIV
- Smoke
- Have abnormal vaginal cells, termed vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.