Vaginal cancer

Vagina is the muscular part which connects the uterus to the genitals. It accounts to around 2-3 % of the cancers of the gynecology.

Symptoms:

• Vaginal bleeding.
• Bleeding after intercourse.
• Bleeding after menopause
• Vaginal discharge: It may be watery or blood stained.
• Lump or mass from vagina.
• Constipation.
• Pain in the pelvic region.
• Pain while passing urine.

Types of vaginal cancer:

• Vaginal adenocarcinoma: In this type of cancer, the cancer arises from the glands of the vagina.
• Vaginal melanoma:  It arises from the pigment cells (melanocytes) of the vagina.
• Vaginal sarcoma: It usually develops from smooth muscles or connective tissue of the vagina.

Risk factors for vaginal cancer:

• Age: It is common in woman over 60years.
• Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN): Women with VAIN are more prone to vaginal cancer.
• Woman with exposure to abortion prevention drugs like diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy increases the risk of vaginal cancer.
• Human papilloma virus: Infection with this virus increases the risk of vaginal cancer.
• Multiple sexual partners.
• Early age at first intercourse.
• Smoking.
• HIV infection.

Tests to confirm the diagnosis:

• Colposopy.
• Pelic examaintion.
• Pap smear.
  
• Biopsy.
• CT scan, MRI scan.

Treatment:

• Surgery: Surgery includes removal of cancer.
• Removal of vagina (vaginectomy): It may be either removal of a part of vagina (partial vaginectomy) or entire vagina (total vaginenctomy).
• Removal of the major part of pelvic organs called pelvic exenteration. It involves removal organs n the pelvic region like bladder, uterus, ovaries, rectum, colon. It is mainly done in the cancer which has spread in the pelvic area.
• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy