Live Life Team
Though there are several kinds of vaginal cancer, the most frequent one is squamous cell carcinoma. This growth takes place in the vaginal wall. Ninety five percentages of the vaginal cancers is constituted by this one.
Almost 70% of the annually reported cases are affecting occurring women over 60 tears old. When compared secondary vaginal cancers are more common than primary ones.
The four stages of this disease include:
Cancer affects only the vaginal walls.
Cancer is spreading but has not reached pelvis.
Cancer has spread to pelvic wall, and even lymph nodes get affected.
Cancer even affects the bladder, rectum etc and even may spread beyond.
Symptoms:
The major symptom of a vaginal cancer is severe bleeding and may be following sex, amid periods or post menopause. It also features increased and abnormal vaginal discharges, discomfort of pelvic region. Few may even have a lump or bulge that can be noted in the vagina and others present with severe itching.
The early stage of the cancer won’t show many symptoms. Additionally an advanced stage is featured with painful voiding, constipation, etc.
Causes:
The exact cause is not known. Studies have revealed that the daughters of those who have taken diethylstilbestrol (DES) as pregnant tend to develop this condition even though it’s rare. Humanpapilloma viruses are thought to be associated with the spread of cancer.
A previous or familial history of the cancer increases the likelihood of developing this cancer. Vaginitis and utero-vaginal prolapse are also thought to increase the risk of vaginal cancer.
Diagnosis:
Colposcopy is a diagnostic measure employed to detect vaginal cancer. A colposcope is the instrument used to perform this test. Using this instrument, the vagina and cervix are thoroughly examined.
The colposcope may even be used to obtain sample tissues for further investigation. A biopsy may reveal the nature of cancer and MRI scan is employed for detailed analysis.
Treatment:
The widely used treatment measures include radiotherapy and surgery.
Surgical intervention varies according to the stage of cancer and includes entire excision of the vagina, excising the womb, cervix and only the upper part of the vagina, or excising the womb, bladder, back passage and section of the bowel.
Once the removal of vagina is carried out, reconstructive surgery may be carried out to facilitate normal sexual life. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy may also be may be employed to destroy the cancerous cells. Early detection and prompt management increases the survival rate of the individual. Hence smear tests are important. At times combination of surgery and radiotherapy may be required to destroy the cancerous cells entirely.
Prevention:
Regular cervical smear tests need to be carried out to detect any cancerous growth at an early stage itself. The test is simple and won’t last more than a few minutes. Other than this there are no preventive measures as such to avoid the occurrence of vaginal cancer.
