Source: Cancer Resource Room

What is Cancer of the Vagina?
Cancer of the vagina, a rare kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the vagina. The vagina is the passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods and through which a woman has babies. It is also called the "birth canal." The vagina connects the cervix (the opening of the womb or uterus) and the vulva (the folds of skin around the opening to the vagina). Female Pelvis - Front View >>>

There are two types of cancer of the vagina: squamous cell cancer (squamous carcinoma) and adenocarcinoma. Squamous carcinoma is usually found in women between the ages of 60 and 80. Adenocarcinoma is more often found in women between the ages of 12 and 30.

Young women whose mothers took DES (diethylstilbestrol) are at risk for getting tumors in their vaginas. Some of them get a rare form of cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma. The drug DES was given to pregnant women between 1945 and 1970 to keep them from losing their babies (miscarriage).

What are the symptoms of cancer of the vagina?
A doctor should be seen if there are any of the following:

• Bleeding or discharge not related to menstrual periods.
• Difficult or painful urination.
• Pain during intercourse or in the pelvic area.

Also, there is still a chance of developing vaginal cancer in women who have had a hysterectomy.

How is cancer of the vagina diagnosed?
A doctor may use several tests to see if there is cancer. The doctor will usually begin by giving the patient an internal (pelvic) examination. The doctor will feel for lumps and will then do a Pap smear. Using a piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick, the doctor will gently scrape the outside of the cervix and vagina in order to pick up cells. Some pressure may be felt, but usually with no pain.

If cells that are not normal are found, the doctor will need to cut a small sample of tissue (called a biopsy) out of the vagina and look at it under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. The doctor should look not only at the vagina, but also at the other organs in the pelvis to see where the cancer started and where it may have spread. The doctor may take an x-ray of the chest to make sure the cancer has not spread to the lungs.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the vagina or has spread to other places) and the patient's general state of health.

Stages of cancer of the vagina
Once cancer of the vagina has been found (diagnosed), more tests will be done to find out if the cancer has spread from the vagina to other parts of the body (staging). A doctor needs to know the stage of the disease to plan treatment. The following stages are used for cancer of the vagina:

• Stage 0 or carcinoma in situ
  Stage 0 cancer of the vagina is a very early cancer. The cancer is found inside the vagina only and is in only a few layers of cells.
• Stage I
  Cancer is found in the vagina, but has not spread outside of it.
• Stage II
  Cancer has spread to the tissues just outside the vagina, but has not gone to the bones of the pelvis.
• Stage III
  Cancer has spread to the bones of the pelvis. Cancer cells may also have spread to other organs and the lymph nodes in the pelvis. (Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body. They produce and store cells that fight infection.)
• Stage IVA
  Cancer has spread into the bladder or rectum.
• Stage IVB
  Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs.

Recurrent
Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the vagina or in another place.

To read more about Cancer of the Vagina >>>

Support & Education Programs

We know that being diagnosed with cancer can be stressful for you and your family. We offer a variety of cancer support services to help patients and families gain the support and information they will need to meet the challenges ahead.

To find information on the Gynecological Support Group, education and support workshops plus wellness services, please view the HOPES calendar.

Read the most recent SUPPORT publication, a resource written by patients and families for patients and families >>>