Description

Vaginal cancer is a growth of cells that begins in the vagina. The cells multiply rapidly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue.

The vagina is the part of the female reproductive system. It is a muscular tube that connects the uterus to the outside of the genitals. The vagina is sometimes called the birth canal.

The cancer that begins in the vagina is rare. The majority of cancer that occurs in the vagina starts somewhere else and spreads to the vagina.

Vaginal cancer is diagnosed when it is confined to the vagina have the best chance of cure. When the cancer spreads beyond the vagina, it is much more difficult to treat.

Symptoms

Vaginal cancer may not cause any symptoms at first. As it grows, vaginal cancer can cause signs and symptoms, such as:

  • Vaginal bleeding that is not typical, as well as after the menopause, or after sexual intercourse.
  • Vaginal Discharge.
  • A lump or mass in the vagina.
  • Pain when you urinate.
  • Frequent need to urinate.
  • The constipation.
  • Pain in the pelvis.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any persistent symptoms that worry you.

Causes

Vaginal cancer starts when the cells of the vagina to develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. The changes, to tell the cancer cells to make many more cells quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells.

The cancer cells may form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. At the time, cancer cells can break off and spread to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it is called metastatic cancer.

Most of the changes in DNA that lead to vaginal cancers are thought to be caused by the human papilloma virus, also known as HPV . HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. For most people, the virus never cause problems. It usually goes away on its own. For some, however, the virus can cause changes in cells that can lead to cancer.

Types of cancer of the vagina

Vaginal cancer is divided into different types according to the type of cells affected. Vaginal cancer types include:

  • Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma , which starts in the thin, flat cells called squamous cells. Squamous cells line the surface of the vagina. This is the most common type.
  • Adenocarcinoma , which starts in the glandular cells on the surface of the vagina. This is a rare type of vaginal cancer. Is linked to a drug called diethylstilbestrol that was once used to prevent spontaneous abortion.
  • Vaginal melanoma that begins in pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes. This type is very rare.
  • Vaginal sarcoma that starts in the cells of the connective tissue or muscle cells in the walls of the vagina. This type is very rare.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of vaginal cancer include:

The increase of the age

The risk of vaginal cancer increases with age. Vaginal cancer occurs more often in older adults.

Exposure to the human papilloma virus

The human papilloma virus, also known as HPV, is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. HPV is believed to cause many types of cancer, including cancer of the vagina. For most people, HPV infection clears on its own and never cause problems. But for some people, HPV can cause changes in the cells of the vagina, which may increase the risk of cancer.

Smoking

Smoking tobacco increases the risk of vaginal cancer.

The exposure to the prevention of abortion medicine

If your father took a drug called diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy, the risk of vaginal cancer may be higher. Diethylstilbestrol, also called DES, which was once used to prevent spontaneous abortion. Is linked to a type of vaginal cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma.

Complications

Vaginal cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Most often spreads to the lungs, liver and bones. When cancer spreads, it is called metastatic cancer.

Prevention

There is No sure way to prevent vaginal cancer. However, you can reduce your risk if you:

Looking for regular pelvic exams and Pap tests

Regular pelvic exams and Pap tests are used to look for signs of cancer of the cervix. Sometimes the vaginal cancer is found during these tests. Ask your health care team how often you should be screened for cervical cancer and which tests are best for you.

Consider the HPV vaccine

To receive a vaccine to prevent HPV infection may reduce the risk of vaginal cancer and other HPV-related cancers. Ask your health care team if a vaccine against HPV is right for you.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose vaginal cancer include:

  • Pelvic exam.A pelvic exam allows a health professional to inspect the reproductive organs. On many occasions is done during a routine medical check-up. But may be necessary if you have symptoms of vaginal cancer. During the test, the health professional to inspect carefully the external genital organs. The health professional inserts two fingers of one hand into the vagina. At the same time, the person on the other side of the presses on the abdomen to feel your uterus and ovaries. A device called a speculum is inserted into the vagina. The device opens the vaginal canal so that the health professional you can search for changes in the vagina and the cervix. The changes may be signs of cancer or other problems.
  • The inspection of the vagina with an increase of the instrument. The colposcopy is a test to look for in the vagina with a special lighted magnifying instrument. Colposcopy helps to expand the surface of the vagina to look for any changes that could be cancerous.
  • The removal of a sample of vaginal tissue for testing. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue to look for cancer cells. Often, a biopsy is performed during a pelvic exam or a colposcopy exam. The tissue sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Pelvic exam. A pelvic exam allows a health professional to inspect the reproductive organs. On many occasions is done during a routine medical check-up. But may be necessary if you have symptoms of vaginal cancer.

During the test, the health professional to inspect carefully the external genital organs. The health professional inserts two fingers of one hand into the vagina. At the same time, the person on the other side of the presses on the abdomen to feel your uterus and ovaries. A device called a speculum is inserted into the vagina. The device opens the vaginal canal so that the health professional you can search for changes in the vagina and the cervix. The changes may be signs of cancer or other problems.

Assay

If you detect that they have cancer of the vagina, your health care team may recommend tests to determine the extent of the cancer. The size of the cancer and whether it has spread is called the stage of the cancer. The scenario indicates the possibility that the cancer is cured. Helps health professionals to create a treatment plan.

The tests used to find cancer of the vagina stage are:

  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests may include x-rays, CT scan , magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography, also called PET .
  • Tiny cameras to see inside the body. The procedures that use tiny cameras to see inside the body can help determine if the cancer has spread to certain areas. A procedure to look inside the bladder is called cystoscopy. A procedure to look inside the rectum are called proctoscopy.

The information of these tests and procedures that are used to assign the cancer a stage. Stages of vaginal cancer in the range of 1 to 4. The lower number means the cancer is found only in the vagina. As the cancer becomes more advanced, the stages get more. A stage 4 cancer of the vagina may have grown to involve nearby organs or spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment

The treatment for most cancers, vaginal often starts with the radiation therapy and chemotherapy at the same time. For very small cancers, surgery could be the first treatment.

Your treatment options for vaginal cancer depends on several factors. This includes the type of vaginal cancer you have and its stage. You and your healthcare team work together to decide what treatments are best for you. His team believes that their targets for the treatment and the side effects that we are willing to accept.

Vaginal cancer treatment is usually coordinated by a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancers that affect the female reproductive system. This doctor is called a gynecologist oncologist.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. The energy comes from the X-rays, protons or other sources. Radiation therapy procedures include:

  • The external radiation. The external radiation is also called external-beam radiation. It uses a large machine to direct the radiation beams at precise points on your body.
  • The internal radiation. Internal radiation is also called brachytherapy. It involves placing radioactive devices in the vagina or close to it. Types of devices that include seeds, wires, cylinders or other materials. After a fixed amount of time, the devices can be removed. Internal radiation is often used after external radiation.

The majority of cancers vaginal are treated with a combination of radiotherapy and low-dose chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells. The use of a low dose of the chemotherapy drug for the treatment of radiation makes the radiation more effective.

The radiation can also be used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may be left behind.

Surgery

The types of surgery that can be used to treat vaginal cancer include:

  • The removal of the vagina. Vaginectomy is a surgery to remove some or all of the vagina. Could be an option for small vaginal cancers have not grown beyond the vagina. Normally used when the cancer is small and you are not close to important structures. If the cancer is growing close to an important part, as the tube that carries urine out of the body, surgery may not be an option.
  • The elimination of many of the organs of the pelvis. Pelvic exenteration is an operation to remove many of the organs of the pelvis. It can be used if the cancer comes back or does not respond to other treatments. During the pelvic exenteration, a surgeon may remove the bladder, ovaries, uterus, vagina, and rectum. The openings are created in the abdomen to allow urine and waste to leave the body.

If your vagina is completely removed, you may choose to have the surgery to make a new vagina. Surgeons use sections of the skin or the muscle in other areas of your body to form a new vagina.

A reconstruction of a vagina allows you to have vaginal sex. Sex can feel different after the surgery. A reconstruction of the vagina lacks the natural lubrication. It is possible that the lack of sensation, due to changes in the nerves.

Other options

If other treatments do not control your cancer, these treatments can be used:

  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be recommended if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, or if it comes back after other treatments.
  • Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is treatment with medicines that help your body's immune system to kill cancer cells. Your immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in your body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells. This could be an option if your cancer is advanced and other treatments have not helped. Immunotherapy is often used to treat melanoma, vaginal.
  • Clinical trials. Clinical trials are experiments to test new methods of treatment. While a clinical trial gives you the opportunity to test the latest advances in treatment, the cure is not guaranteed. If you are interested in trying out a clinical trial, talk with your health care team.

Palliative care

Palliative care is a special type of health care that helps you feel better when you have a serious illness. If you have cancer, palliative care can help relieve the pain and other symptoms. Palliative care is performed by a team of health professionals. This may include doctors, nurses and other specially trained professionals. Your goal is to improve the quality of life for you and your family.

Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your health care team to help you to feel better. They provide an extra layer of support, while you have cancer treatment. You can have palliative care at the same time so strong cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

When palliative care is used along with all other appropriate treatments, people with cancer may feel better and live longer.

Coping and support

How you respond to your cancer diagnosis is unique. You might want to surround yourself with friends and family. Or you may ask for some alone time to sort through their feelings. Until you find what works best for you, you can try:

  • Learn enough about your cancer to make decisions about your care. Write down questions to ask at your next appointment. Ask a friend or family member to appointments with you to take notes. Ask your health care team to other sources of information. To know more you can help make it easier to make decisions about your treatment.
  • To maintain the intimacy with your partner.Vaginal treatments for cancer can cause side effects that make intimacy more difficult. Find new ways to be intimate. Spend quality time together and have meaningful conversations are ways to build your emotional intimacy. When you're ready for physical intimacy, take it easy. If the sexual side effects of your cancer treatment are damaging your relationship with your partner, talk with your health care team.
  • Create a support network.Have friends and family the support that can be very valuable. You may find it helps to talk with someone about your emotions. Other sources of support include social workers and psychologists. Ask your health care team for recommendations, if you feel that you need someone to talk to. Talk with your pastor, rabbi or other spiritual leader. Consider joining a support group. Other people with cancer, can offer a unique perspective and can better understand what is happening to you. In contact with the American Cancer Society for more information about support groups.

To maintain the intimacy with your partner. Vaginal treatments for cancer can cause side effects that make intimacy more difficult. Find new ways to be intimate.

Spend quality time together and have meaningful conversations are ways to build your emotional intimacy. When you're ready for physical intimacy, take it easy.

If the sexual side effects of your cancer treatment are damaging your relationship with your partner, talk with your health care team.

Create a support network. Have friends and family the support that can be very valuable. You may find it helps to talk with someone about your emotions. Other sources of support include social workers and psychologists. Ask your health care team for recommendations, if you feel that you need someone to talk to.

Talk with your pastor, rabbi or other spiritual leader. Consider joining a support group. Other people with cancer, can offer a unique perspective and can better understand what is happening to you. In contact with the American Cancer Society for more information about support groups.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by making an appointment with your regular doctor, an ob-gyn or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If you detect that they have cancer of the vagina, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in cancers of the female reproductive system. This doctor is called a gynecologist oncologist.

It is a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Ask a family member or friend to come with you. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their health professional.

Your time with your health care team is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time to help make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For cancer of the vagina, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What types of treatments are there? What types of side effects can I expect from each treatment? How these treatments affect my sexuality?
  • What do you think is the best course of action for me?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • Has my cancer spread? What stage is it?
  • What is my prognosis?
  • You should see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you have prepared ahead of time, do not hesitate to ask questions as they occur during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer some basic questions about their health and their symptoms, such as:

  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Do you know if your mother took diethylstilbestrol, also called DES during pregnancy?
  • Do you have any personal history of cancer?
  • Have you ever been told that you have the human papilloma virus, also known as HPV ?
  • Have your Pap test results showed relative?
Symptoms and treatment of Vaginal cancer