There are several types of vaginal cancer, including:
Squamous cell
This type of cancer starts in the vaginal lining and develops slowly.
This type of squamous cell carcinoma most often develops in females aged 60 years or older.
Adenocarcinoma
This type of cancer starts in the vaginal gland cells.
Adenocarcinoma starts in the glandular cells in the vaginal lining that produce certain fluids.
Adenocarcinoma is more likely to spread than squamous cell cancer.
It’s most common in women over 50.
It’s the second-most common type of vaginal cancer.
Melanoma
As with the more common skin cancer type of melanoma, this type of cancer starts in the cells that give skin colour.
rare
Sarcoma
It starts in the vaginal walls.
Rare type of cancer
Cancers that spread from other organs:
Cancers of the cervix, uterus, rectum, or bladder may spread to the vagina.
There is no way to prevent vaginal cancer completely, but a person can minimise their risk and improve their outlook through early detection via an examination and PAP smear test
Staging
Vaginal cancer stages tell you how far the cancer has spread. There are four main stages, plus one precancerous stage of vaginal cancer:
Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN).
VAIN is a type of precancer.
There are abnormal cells in the vaginal lining, but they’re not growing or spreading yet. VAIN isn’t cancer.
Stage 1. Cancer is only in the vaginal wall.
Stage 2. Cancer has spread to the tissue next to the vagina but hasn’t yet spread to the pelvic wall.
Stage 3. Cancer has spread further into the pelvis and pelvic wall. It might’ve also spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4. Stage 4 is divided into two substages:
In stage 4A, cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum, or both.
In stage 4B, cancer has spread further throughout the body to organs, such as the lungs, liver, or more distant lymph nodes.
Healthline
Diagnosis Tests
The medical doctor/nurse will conduct pelvic exam as well as considering ones medical history.
The medical doctor/nurse will conduct a PAP smear test.
If a PAP test shows an abnormal reading then acolposcopy may take place.
This is a procedure where your doctor uses a magnifying instrument called a colposcope to examine your vaginal walls and cervix to see where the abnormal cells are.
A biopsy will then take place
If the cells are cancerous, your doctor will most likely do an MRI, CT scan, or PET scan to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) – Also known as precancerous cells, these cells are different from normal cells but not different enough for experts to class them as cancer cells. Sometimes, however, these cells can develop into cancer.
Treatments
Previous radiation treatment – This can sometimes cause an increased likelihood of vaginal cancer.
Use of a vaginal pessary – The use of vaginal pessaries, such as during pelvic organ prolapse, is associated with an increased risk of vaginal cancer.
Hysterectomy, whether it was for a benign or malignant mass
Source: www.aboutcancer.com/vagina.htm
Source: YouTube
Symptoms
(Early stages of cancer does not show any noticeable symptoms hence it is important to have a regular smear test, late stage may show more noticeable symptoms)
Abnormal vaginal bleeding?
Bleeding after menopause?
Bleeding during or after sex?
Pain in pelvis area and/or lower back especially during sex?
There’s some evidence that heavy drinking increases your risk of vaginal cancer.
Get regular pelvic exams and Pap smears.
This will help your doctor find pre-cancers before they turn into vaginal cancers or find vaginal cancer early, before it spreads or causes serious symptoms.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Vaginal cancer in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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