Learn About Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal cancer is cancer of the vagina, a female reproductive organ.
Vaginal cancer; Cancer - vagina; Tumor - vaginal
Most vaginal cancers occur when another cancer, such as cervical, vulvar, or endometrial cancer, spreads. This is called secondary vaginal cancer.
Cancer that starts in the vagina is called primary vaginal cancer. This type of cancer is rare. Most primary vaginal cancers start in skin-like cells called squamous cells. This cancer is known as squamous cell carcinoma. The other types include:
- Adenocarcinoma
- Melanoma
- Sarcoma
The cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina is unknown. But a history of cervical cancer is common in women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina. So it may be associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.
Most women with squamous cell cancer of the vagina are over 50.
Adenocarcinoma of the vagina tends to affect younger women. The average age at which this cancer is diagnosed is 19. Women whose mothers took the medicine diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriages during the first 3 months of pregnancy are more likely to develop vaginal adenocarcinoma.
Sarcoma of the vagina is a rare cancer that mainly occurs in infancy and early childhood.
Symptoms of vaginal cancer can include any of the following:
- Bleeding after having sex
- Painless vaginal bleeding and discharge not due to a normal period
- Pain in the pelvis or vagina
Some women have no symptoms.
Treatment of vaginal cancer depends on:
- The type of cancer
- How far the disease has spread
Surgery is sometimes used if the cancer is small and located at the upper part of the vagina. Most women are treated with radiation. If the tumor is cervical cancer that has spread to the vagina, radiation and chemotherapy are both given.
Sarcoma may be treated with a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
Susan Orhan MD PC
Dr. Susan Orhan, MD, FACOG, is a distinguished board-certified OB/GYN renowned for her commitment to providing exceptional obstetric and gynecological care. She serves as a beacon of excellence at Elite Women’s Care in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where her patients benefit from her unwavering dedication, personalized attention, and genuine compassion.Dr. Orhan's remarkable journey in the field of medicine began with her academic achievements. She earned her medical degree from Gazi University School of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey, a testament to her early dedication to the pursuit of medical knowledge. Her quest for excellence led her to complete her residency at the prestigious Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where she honed her skills and expertise.Continuing her pursuit of knowledge, Dr. Orhan embarked on a postdoctoral fellowship specializing in genetics and immunology at the esteemed University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. This unique blend of expertise sets her apart in the field of OB/GYN.As a testament to her commitment to excellence, Dr. Orhan holds certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is an esteemed member of the American Medical Association and a distinguished fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Her affiliations with renowned Chicago-area hospitals, including AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk. . Her top areas of expertise are Endometrial Polyps, Neonatal Ovarian Cyst, Ovarian Cysts, Salpingo-Oophorectomy, and Hysterectomy.
Bonaventure Medical Foundation LLC
Assaad Semaan is a Gynecologic Oncologist and an Oncologist in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Dr. Semaan and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Vaginal Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Ovarian Cancer, Virilizing Ovarian Tumor, Ovarian Carcinosarcoma, Salpingo-Oophorectomy, and Hysterectomy. Dr. Semaan is currently accepting new patients.
Radiation Oncology Consultants, Ltd
Rajiv Patel is a Radiation Oncologist in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Dr. Patel and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Vaginal Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Chordoma, Vulvar Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Pleuropulmonary Blastoma. Dr. Patel is currently accepting new patients.
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.
The outlook for women with vaginal cancer depends on the size and the stage of disease and the specific type of tumor.
Vaginal cancer may spread to other areas of the body. Complications can occur from radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Contact your health care provider for an appointment if:
- You notice bleeding after sex
- You have persistent vaginal bleeding or discharge
There are no definite ways to prevent this cancer.
The HPV vaccine is approved to help prevent cervical cancer. This vaccine may also decrease the risk of getting some other HPV-associated cancers, such as vaginal cancer. You can increase your chance of early detection by getting regular pelvic examinations and Pap smears.
Background: Often, metastatic human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers cannot be cured. They also do not respond well to treatment. Some forms of colon cancer also have poor responses to treatment. Researchers want to see if a new drug treatment can help people with these types of cancers.
Summary: Cervical cancer is a relatively common cancer among women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study will test women for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the cervix. The main purpose of this study is to determine the best way to test for damaged areas of the cervix. Damaged areas of the cervix should be treated and removed to prevent cancer of the cervix. Women in this study...
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Howard Goodman, MD, Gynecologic Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Frumovitz M. Neoplastic diseases of the vulva and vagina. . In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 30.
Jhingran A, Russell AH, Seiden MV, et al. Cancers of the cervix, vulva, and vagina. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 84.
PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Vaginal Cancer Treatment (PDQ): Health Professional Version. 2024 Feb 16. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002. PMID: 26389242 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26389242/.