This cancer type begins to develop in the vagina cells and it is called vaginal cancer. These abnormal cells usually multiply and grow quite fast and may destroy nearby healthy tissues.
A muscular tube that is a part of the female reproductive system is called the vagina. It also connects the uterus with the outer genitals and in some cases, it is called the birth canal. This cancer type happens quite rarely and commonly it begins in other body parts and spreads to the vagina.
Moreover, this vaginal cancer is curable if it is found early but if it spreads to other body parts, it may be quite difficult to treat.
Symptoms
In the early stages, vaginal cancer does not cause any symptoms but once the tumor grows larger, you may experience the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Increased and painful urination
- Constipation
- Pelvic pain
- A lump in the vagina
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding that is not typical (including after menopause or after sexual activity)
If any of the previous symptoms occur, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Causes
This type of cancer like others begins to appear when cells in the vagina develop DNA changes (mutations). DNA contains specific instructions that tell cells when to grow, multiply, and die. However, DNA changes (mutations) give cells different instructions, which make them grow and multiply abnormally. These abnormal cells live longer than healthy ones. When cancerous cells become too much they form a mass called the tumor. As a result, this mass can invade healthy tissues and destroy them and without treatment, it may break and spread to other body parts (in such cases, it is called metastatic cancer).
Experts think that most vaginal cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus spreads among people through unprotected sexual activity. In any case, HPV does not cause problems for most people but in some cases, may cause certain changes in the vagina cells that lead to cancer.
Vaginal Cancer Types
Healthcare providers divide this cancer type according to the cell that is involved. Check below some vaginal cancer types:
- Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma – In such cases, the abnormal cells begin to multiply and grow in the flat and thin cells called squamous cells. These cells are located in the vagina lining. However, vaginal squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type.
- Vaginal adenocarcinoma – It happens in the glandular cells also found on the surface of the vagina. This is a rare form of vaginal cancer and it is linked with a medicine (Diethylstilbestrol) used to prevent miscarriage.
- Vaginal melanoma – This vaginal cancer type happens quite rarely and it involves pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes.
- Vaginal sarcoma – It also happens very rarely and involves certain connective tissue or muscle cells in the vagina walls.
Risk Factors
Doctors identified some factors that may increase your risk of developing vaginal cancer. For example:
- Age – In most cases, this cancer type happens in older adults because the risk of developing it increases with aging.
- Human papillomavirus – It is considered that human papillomavirus causes multiple cancer types including vaginal cancer. However, this is a common virus that passes during sexual intercourse. While for most people it does not cause any problems, some people may develop DNA changes that lead to cancer.
- Smoking – Using tobacco products also increases the risk of developing vaginal cancer.
- Miscarriage prevention medicines – Women who administer Diethylstilbestrol (a medicine used to prevent miscarriage) are at higher risk of developing vaginal cancer. It usually causes clear-cell adenocarcinoma.
What Are The Possible Complications of Vaginal Cancer?
If you ignore the symptoms and the tumor grows too large, it may break and spread to other body parts including bones, lungs, liver, and others. In such cases, it is called metastatic cancer. For more details, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
How to Prevent Vaginal Cancer?
It is not possible to prevent this cancer type because experts do not fully understand the exact cause. However, the following tips may help reduce the risk. For example:
- Have regular pelvic examinations and Pap tests – These tests and examinations will help you check for cervical cancer signs regularly. In some cases, vaginal cancer is diagnosed during these examinations. Discuss with your doctor about tests and procedures that are best for you.
- Human papillomavirus vaccine – Vaccines used to prevent HPV infection can reduce the risk of vaginal cancer.
Diagnosis
Commonly, the following procedures and tests are performed by your doctor to diagnose vaginal cancer. Examples include:
- Pelvic examination – This procedure is used to check reproductive organs for abnormalities associated with vaginal cancer. Physicians also use a specific device called a speculum that is inserted into the vagina to open the canal, which allows the doctor to check the birth canal and cervix for irregularities that may indicate vaginal cancer.
- Colposcopy – This is a test in which doctors examine the vagina using a magnifying instrument. It helps determine vagina surface changes that may indicate cancer.
- Biopsy – This test involves the removal of a small sample of the affected tissue in the vagina and testing it under a microscope. It is used to check for cancerous cells.
Furthermore, if you are diagnosed with vaginal cancer, doctors may perform additional tests to determine the stage (extent) of the cancer. It helps physicians understand the severity of the cancer and prescribe the best treatment for you. These include imaging tests such as CT (computerized tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and PET (positron emission tomography) scans.
Treatment
In most cases, physicians recommend chemotherapy and radiation therapy for people with vaginal cancer. However, when the cancer is detected early, surgery to remove the tumor may be the only treatment needed.
However, there are multiple treatments for vaginal cancer and which one is better for you depends on several factors. For example your age, the stage of the cancer, existing health problems, and others.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment option uses powerful energy beams to destroy cancer cells. These beams come usually from protons, X-rays, and other sources. There are two types of radiation therapy. For example:
- External radiation – This procedure also known as external beam radiation involves a large machinery that directs the energy beams to the exact part of the body.
- Internal radiation – In such cases, it involves a device that is inserted into the vagina near the affected area. Commonly, people with vaginal cancer receive both types of radiation therapy. Sometimes, this treatment option is called by doctors brachytherapy.
Approximately all vaginal cancers are treated with low-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Surgery
There are different surgery types used to treat vaginal cancer. For example:
- Vaginectomy – This surgery type involves the removal of a part of all of the vagina. If the cancer is identified in the early stages, this surgery may be the only treatment needed. In other words, this surgery is recommended by doctors if cancer does not affect other important structures such as the urethra.
- Pelvic exenteration – This is a surgery in which are removed multiple pelvic organs. It is often recommended by doctors when other treatments do not work. During this operation, surgeons may remove the bladder, ovaries, uterus, vagina, and rectum.
If the vagina is removed completely, you may choose a surgery to reconstruct it. Surgeons often use muscle and skin taken from another body part to make a new vagina. Furthermore, people with reconstructed vaginas may feel different after surgery because lack of lubrication and nerve changes.
Other Treatments
The following treatments usually are prescribed by doctors when you do not respond to previous ones. These include:
- Chemotherapy – This treatment uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It usually is used either in combination with radiation therapy but in low doses or when other treatments do not work.
- Immunotherapy – It involves medicines that boost the immune system to fight against cancer cells. However, cancerous cells produce a substance that helps them hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the immunity find and destroy them. Commonly, physicians recommend this treatment for people with vaginal melanoma.
- Clinical trials – This option involves testing new treatment options that give you a chance to try the newest treatments. Discuss with your healthcare professional if you are interested.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of vaginal cancer?
These include:
- Skin changes
- Sores, lumps, or ulcers that do not go away
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Frequent and painful urination
- Pain during sexual activity
- Swelling
- Swollen lymph nodes
If any of the symptoms listed above occur, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Is it possible to cure vaginal cancer?
Yes, but only when it is found in the early stages. In other words, the chances of curing the cancer are higher if it is detected when it is very small.
What are the vaginal cancer complications?
People may experience complications caused by vaginal cancer and from surgery as well. Check below some complications caused by both cancer and surgery:
- Strong smell from the wound
- Swelling and redness around the wound
- Blood clots
- Sexual problems (such as vaginal dryness)
- Constipation
- Bladder problems
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Edema
Consult with your doctor about ways to prevent complications associated with the vaginal cancer and surgery to treat it. Ask your physician if you have additional questions.
