Vaginal Cancer

Eighty-five percent of all vaginal cancers are found on the skin or lining of the vagina. The vagina is also called the birth canal and runs from the vulva to the cervix, or the opening to the uterus. Cancer can occur when abnormal cells grow out of control. They typically grow slowly over many years.

Types of vaginal cancer include:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma — This type makes up more than 85% of vaginal cancers and grown on the lining of the vagina.

  • Adenocarcinoma — 5-10% of vaginal cancers start in the glandular tissue and usually occur in young women whose mother took a specific hormonal medication while pregnant.

  • Melanoma — This type of vaginal cancer is very rare.

Causes of Vaginal Cancer

The cause of vaginal cancer is typically human papillomavirus (HPV) or a genetic mutation in your DNA. DNA mutations cause healthy cells to change and grow at a rapid rate, causing a tumor. Not everyone with HPV will develop vaginal cancer,

Younger women may get vaginal cancer because their mother was given diethylstilbestrol (DES), a hormonal medication, while they were pregnant. Known as DES daughters, they are at risk of developing cancer at a young age.

Risk Factors for Vaginal Cancer

Some people who get vaginal cancer have a specific mutation in their DNA that increases their risk of getting vaginal cancer. Our hereditary cancer program can provide important information to you and your family. This information allows us to identify cancer early, when it is most treatable, and plan your treatment.

Vaginal cancer is associated with the following risk factors:

  • Age.
  • Cervical cancer.
  • HIV Infection.
  • Many sexual partners.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Smoking.
Doctor consulting woman patient

Make an appointment

For more information, please contact your oncologist or the Cancer Care Center at (859) 301-2237, option 2.

Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer

Most women with early-stage vaginal cancer will have no symptoms. Most women with advanced vaginal cancer will have symptoms, including:

  • A bump or lump in the vagina.
  • Irregular bleeding or discharge (often after sex).
  • Pain during sex.
  • Pain in the abdomen or low belly.
  • Painful urination.
  • Thickening of the vulva.

Diagnosing Vaginal Cancer

If your doctor suspects that you have vaginal cancer, we may run tests to determine the type of cancer and develop the best treatment plan. These tests may include:

  • Biopsy.
  • Blood tests to check genetic makeup and blood markers.
  • CT scan.
  • MRI.
  • PET/CT scan.
  • Pelvic exam.

If you’ve been diagnosed with vaginal cancer, we can provide a second opinion and present treatment options.

Treating Vaginal Cancer

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we believe in caring for you, not just treating your cancer. Our holistic approach means we combine cancer treatment with working to minimize side effects and help you manage them. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible while we use innovative approaches to treat your cancer.

Your treatment plan for vaginal cancer usually begins with radiation and surgery. Depending on the stage of your cancer and whether it has spread, your treatment may include:

  • Chemotherapy — Therapy that uses drugs injected through IV, taken by mouth or applied on the skin to attack and kill cancer cells.

  • Clinical trials — Innovative drug and genetic therapies used to treat vaginal cancers.

  • Immunotherapy — Medication therapy that stimulates your own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

  • Interventional radiation procedures — Nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedures to kill or shrink tumors.
  • Radiation therapy — Therapy that uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.
  • Surgery — A procedure to remove cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
  • Precision medicine — Medication therapy that uses your DNA to specifically target the cells that lead to cancer and stop cancer from forming and spreading.

  • Supportive care — Helping you coordinate appointments and treating the side effects of your cancer or cancer treatment.

Preventing Vaginal Cancer

Steps you can take to reduce your risk of vaginal cancer include:

  • Avoid smoking — Smoking is linked to many cancers, including vaginal cancer.

  • HPV vaccination — The HPV vaccine will protect you from the types of HPV that cause vaginal cancer.

  • Practice safe sex — Sexually transmitted diseases and having multiple sexual partners increase your risk of developing vaginal cancer.

  • Regular Pap tests — This will reveal any precancerous conditions that may lead to vaginal cancer.

Your Cancer Care Team

Cancer Research Physicians

The team includes medical oncologists specializing in immunotherapy and precision medicine, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, thoracic surgeons, pain management specialists, genetic counselors, pathologists, nutritionists, pharmacists, nurses and support staff. They work together to create a treatment plan that’s just right for you.

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