Vaginal Cancer

Each type of cancer has its own research, treatments and resources devoted to them. This page gives an overview of Vaginal Cancer and for your convenience we have included the most recent news stories concerning Vaginal Cancer. Be sure to check out our listings page for links to more information.

What is cancer of the vagina?

Cancer of the vagina, a rare kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the vagina. The vagina is the passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods and through which a woman has babies. It is also called the "birth canal." The vagina connects the cervix (the opening of the womb or uterus) and the vulva (the folds of skin around the opening to the vagina).

There are two types of cancer of the vagina: squamous cell cancer (squamous carcinoma) and adenocarcinoma. Squamous carcinoma is usually found in women between the ages of 60 and 80. Adenocarcinoma is more often found in women between the ages of 12 and 30.

Young women whose mothers took DES (diethylstilbestrol) are at risk for getting tumors in their vaginas. Some of them get a rare form of cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma. The drug DES was given to pregnant women between 1945 and 1970 to keep them from losing their babies (miscarriage).

A doctor should be seen if there are any of the following:

Bleeding or discharge not related to menstrual periods.
Difficult or painful urination.
Pain during intercourse or in the pelvic area.
Also, there is still a chance of developing vaginal cancer in women who have had a hysterectomy.
A doctor may use several tests to see if there is cancer. The doctor will usually begin by giving the patient an internal (pelvic) examination. The doctor will feel for lumps and will then do a Pap smear. Using a piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick, the doctor will gently scrape the outside of the cervix and vagina in order to pick up cells. Some pressure may be felt, but usually with no pain.

If cells that are not normal are found, the doctor will need to cut a small sample of tissue (called a biopsy) out of the vagina and look at it under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. The doctor should look not only at the vagina, but also at the other organs in the pelvis to see where the cancer started and where it may have spread. The doctor may take an x-ray of the chest to make sure the cancer has not spread to the lungs.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the vagina or has spread to other places) and the patient's general state of health.

 

Vaginal Cancer in the News...

 Vaginal Microbicides May Prevent More Infections In Men Than Women (Medical N...
Vaginal microbicides currently in clinical trials may be the only weapon that will protect women against infection from HIV. Yet, under likely circumstances, these microbicides may be of more benefit to men than women, according to a new UCLA AIDS Institute study.

 Vaginal Microbicides May Prevent More Infections In Men than Women (Newswise)
Vaginal microbicides currently in clinical trials may be the only weapon that will protect women against infection from HIV. Yet, under likely circumstances, these microbicides may be of more benefit to men than women.

 'Bogus' cancer cure (Adelaide Now)
A WOMAN died after a Stirling "doctor" gave her a bogus cancer cure, a parliamentary committee heard yesterday.

 More Inland seniors getting HIV, AIDS, experts say (The Press-Enterprise)
Thanks to Viagra and other popular erectile dysfunction drugs, older Inland residents are having more sex than ever before, and more are getting HIV and AIDS, experts say.

 Non-Prescription, Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer(R) Instant Relief ...
Pharmacy Post has named Replens Long Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer(R) the number one recommended product in the vaginal lubricant and moisturizer market in their annual "Over the Counter Market Report."

 "Why does XBL have ads?" (EuroGamer)
This drug to cure your headache may cause thrush, gonorrhoea, herpes, cancer, severe swelling of the lungs, vaginal discharge, ear infections, eye seepage, tongue fatigue and many more. Buy yours today.

 ‘Speak loud' activist succumbs to illness (Regina Leader-Post)
In a whisper from her bed in Regina’s palliative care ward, Gail Buettner-Willis always said, “Speak loud” about the silent killer.

 A MYTH THAT KILLS (New York Post)
THE Senate is near to pass ing a massive $50 billion Emergency Plan for HIV/ AIDS Relief - a bill whose priorities are based on myth, just like virtually all anti-AIDS efforts worldwide. The world's top AIDS bureaucrat recently admitted the truth...

 Diabetes: Underrated, insidious and deadly (International Herald Tribune)
Vision, hearing, sexual function — you name it, diabetes harms it.

 Lexington gynecologist's case goes to the jury (Lexington Herald-Leader)
A medical malpractice case in which an Owingsville woman accused a Lexington gynecologist of unnecessary castration . removing her healthy ovaries . without warning her of the surgery's consequences went to the jury Tuesday. The defense argued that the doctor used sound medical judgment. .He's done the worst thing a physician can do . he violated her trust,. said Lexington attorney ...