Vaginal Cancer

The vagina, also called as the birth canal is a 6-10 cm long tube that is located in between the cervix and the opening of the vulva. It is lined by squamous cells' layer called epithelium. The vaginal wall below the squamous cell layer is made up of lymph vessels, connective tissue, muscle tissue and nerves. The presence of glands near the vagina enable secretion of mucus to keep the inner linings of the vaginal moist. Depending upon various cell characteristics, vaginal cancers are divided into many types.  

Types of cancers of the vaginal  

Squamous cell carcinoma : Around 70% of vaginal cancer cases are a result of squamous cell carcinomas. These carcinomas are developed in the inner linings of the vagina covered by epithelial cells and are more common in the upper section of the vagina, that is, near the cervix. Usually the development happens in two stages and first, the cells develop into a pre-cancerous condition. Such a condition is referred to as VAIN – vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia. Further, 3 kinds of VAIN are described:  

• VAIN 1 (Early)
  
  
• VAIN 2 (Intermediate)
  
  
• VAIN 3 (Furthest) 
  
  Adenocarcinoma  : Adenocarcinomas are cancers which begin in vaginal glands and account for about 15 % of total vaginal cancers. This type of carcinomas usually develop in women older than 50. 
  
  Melanoma : Melanomas develop from skin cells responsible for providing color to the skin and usually affects the lower or outer portions of the vagina.  
  
  Sarcoma : Sarcomas develop in cells of connective tissues, muscles and bones and account for about 4% of total vaginal carcinomas. These cancers are detected deep in the vaginal wall instead of the surface. There are many types of sarcomas out of which leiomyosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma are the most common. 
  
  Symptoms of vaginal cancer  
  
  Some signs pointing towards vaginal cancer can be :  
  
  

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge. 
  
  
• Lump or mass in the inner vaginal region. 
  
  
• Extreme pain during intercourse. 
  
  
• Extended pelvis pain. 
  
  
• Constipation. 
  
  
• Pain during urination. 
  
  Diagnosis of vaginal cancer 
  
  Diagnosis of vaginal cancers generally involve some of the following procedures :  
  
  Colposcopy  
  
  The method of using a colposcope to observe the presence or development of carcinomas in the vagina is called vaginoscopy.  The colposcope enables the doctor to see the vaginal walls and the surface of the cervix clearly. 
  
  Imaging tests  
  
  Imaging tests for the diagnosis of vaginal carcinomas generally use X-rays, sound waves or magnetic field concepts to generate images of the inside of our body. Imaging tests include PET (positron emission tomography) scan, CT (computed tomography) scan and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. Imaging tests may be done for a number of reasons, like to locate the cancer affected area or to know the extent to which the cancer has spread.  
  
  Biopsy procedures  
  
  Even at times when imaging tests and symptoms suggest the presence of a vaginal cancer, surgeons need to look at the carcinoma tissues under the microscope first to feel certain. In cases of vaginal carcinomas, doctors usually remove the entire tissue rather than performing a biopsy. 
  
  Proctosigmoidoscopy and cystoscopy 
  
  Although proctosigmoidoscopy and cystoscopy are not used often, they can still be useful to have a closer looks at the cancer tissues.