Vaginal Cancer

VAGINAL CANCER  Vaginal cancer refers to malignant cancer of the vagina. It is one of the rarest types of cancer affecting the female reproductive system  It may be primary or secondary.  Primary vaginal cancer arises for the vaginal tissues (squamous epithelium, glandular cells, underlying vaginal wall tissues).  Secondary vaginal cancers usually occur as a result of spread of cancers from another part of the body, such as the cervix, uterus, vulva, bladder, bowel or other nearby organs to the vagina. Secondary cancer in the vagina is more common than primary vaginal cancer. VAGINAL CANCER Most vaginal cancers occur in the upper third of the posterior vaginal wall. They may spread; • By direct extension (into the local paravaginal tissues, bladder, or rectum) • Through inguinal lymph nodes from lesions in the lower vagina • Through pelvic lymph nodes from lesions in the upper vagina • Through the bloodstream (Hematogenous) VAGINAL CANCER: RISK FACTORS Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) – This is a precancerous condition that often has no symptoms. It means that the cells in the lining of the vagina are abnormal and may develop into cancer after many years. Diethylstilboestrol (DES) – This synthetic hormone drug has been identified as a cause of a type of vaginal adenocarcinoma Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection History of gynecological cancer such as cervical cancer and vulvar cancer Smoking VAGINAL CANCER: TYPES a) Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) starts in the thin, flat (squamous cells) cells lining the vagina most likely to occur in the upper vagina usually grows slowly over many years makes up about 85% of vaginal cancers common in older women (60 years and above)