Cancer of the vagina

Cancer of the vagina is a malignant neoplasm of the primary or metastatic nature in the mucous membrane of the vagina. Annually, vaginal cancer is diagnosed in about 2 thousand women, which is about 3% of all malignant gynecological tumors, with a fatal outcome of 5-7%. A special risk group is women aged 55-65. In rare cases, cancer can be detected in young girls. The prognosis is favorable in the case of a timely diagnosis.

Types of vaginal cancer

Depending on the types of tissues affected by the tumor (histological structure of the tumor), distinguish:

• squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina - develops from the cells of the mucous lining the vagina from the inside;
• tumor in cells of smooth muscle tissue;
• tumor in cells of glandular tissue;
• tumor in cells of striated muscle tissue.

In the stages of development, the following types of vaginal cancer are distinguished:

1. Non-invasive cancer (stage 0). At this stage, the tumor does not grow and has clear boundaries.
2. Invasive cancer stage I. The tumor grows over the mucous tissue of the vagina.
3. Invasive cancer stage II. It extends to paravaginal tissues (located between the vagina and the walls of the small pelvis).
4. Invasive cancer of stage III. The tumor penetrates into the walls of the small pelvis.
5. Invasive cancer of the IV stage. It spreads to neighboring organs: bladder, intestine.

Symptoms and signs of vaginal cancer

The early stages of vaginal cancer are usually asymptomatic. In the future, the following symptoms appear:

• painful intercourse;
• pain in the region of the sacrum, small pelvis, pubis;
• swelling of the legs;
• difficulty in defecation, frequent urination;
• excretions similar to secretions during candidiasis (thrush);
• bleeding, spontaneous or after sexual intercourse - blood of a bright scarlet color.

Causes and factors of vaginal cancer development

The appearance of vaginal cancer can contribute to:

1. Admission of a mother during pregnancy of some drugs.
2. Infection with the human papilloma virus, sexually transmitted.
3. Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
4. Age.
5. Cancer of the body and cervix.
6. Irradiation (for example, during pelvic radiotherapy).

Diagnosis of vaginal cancer

Includes:

• examination of the small pelvis (vagina, cervix, ovaries, rectum, fallopian tubes);
• taking a smear on oncocytology (Pap smear);
• biopsy (collection of tissue cells for examination);
• ultrasonography;
• computed tomography.

For accurate diagnosis, you need to know what the vaginal cancer looks like. In the early stages of the disease it can be simple small sores on the mucosa, papillary growths. In the later stages - seals of various sizes.

Treatment of vaginal cancer

The method of cancer treatment is chosen depending on the degree of its invasiveness (spread), the size of the tumor and other factors. Thus, with a relatively small tumor size and limited location, it may be partially excised, removed by laser or liquid nitrogen.

With a large degree of invasiveness or the presence of metastases, complete removal of the vagina or uterus is indicated. Chemotherapy is also used to reduce tumor size, but, as a rule, in conjunction with surgical methods. Treatment of vaginal stump cancer (after removal of the uterus or vulva) is similar.