Vaginal Cancer

What Is It?

Vaginal cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the vagina, which is also called the birth canal.

Vaginal cancer is rare, accounting for only about 2% of cancers affecting the female reproductive system. It is more common that cancer cells found in the vagina actually originated in a different tissue such as the cervix. There are two main types of primary vaginal cancer:

• In squamous cell carcinoma, cancer cells grow from the surface layer of the vagina's lining. Squamous cell carcinomas usually develop slowly. They commonly develop in the upper part of the vagina near the cervix. According to the National Cancer Institute, this type of vaginal cancer usually occurs in women between ages 50 and 70. According to the American Cancer Society, squamous cell carcinomas account for 85% to 90% of vaginal cancers.

• In adenocarcinomas, cancer cells form in the glands in the vaginal wall. According to the American Cancer Society, this type is more often diagnosed in younger women. A subtype called clear-cell adenocarcinoma is most familiar. Daughters of mothers who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant have a higher risk of developing this rare form of vaginal cancer, DES, which was introduced in the 1940s to help prevent miscarriages, was banned from use in the United States in 1971. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 5% to 10% of vaginal cancers are adenocarcinomas.

Other, less common types of vaginal cancer include malignant melanomas and sarcomas. Melanoma tends to affect the lower or outer part of the vagina and sarcomas develop deep in the vaginal wall.

Symptoms

The symptoms of vaginal cancer can include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, often after intercourse, that is not related to your period

• Unusual vaginal discharge

• A mass that can be felt

• Pain during intercourse

• Pain in the pelvic region

• Painful urination and constipation

Keep in mind that these symptoms more commonly occur in a number of less dangerous conditions, such as infections of the reproductive organs. These symptoms should always be evaluated by a health care professional.