What is Vaginal Cancer and Vulvar Cancer?
Vaginal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the vagina. The vagina is the canal leading from the cervix (the opening of uterus) to the outside of the body. There are two main types of vaginal cancer:
Vulvar cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the vulva, the external genitalia. The vulva includes:
Vulvar cancer usually forms slowly over many years. Abnormal cells can grow on the surface of the vulvar skin for a long time. This condition is called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Because it is possible for VIN to become vulvar cancer, it is important to get treatment.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer that forms in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the vagina. Squamous cell vaginal cancer spreads slowly and usually stays near the vagina, but may spread to the lungs, liver, or bone. This is the most common type of vaginal cancer.
- Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in glandular cells. Glandular cells in the lining of the vagina make and release fluids such as mucus. Adenocarcinoma is more likely than squamous cell cancer to spread to the lungs and lymph nodes. A rare type of adenocarcinoma is linked to being exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth. Adenocarcinomas that are not linked with being exposed to DES are most common in women after menopause.
Vulvar cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the vulva, the external genitalia. The vulva includes:
- Inner and outer lips of the vagina
- Clitoris (sensitive tissue between the lips)
- Opening of the vagina and its glands
- Mons pubis (the rounded area in front of the pubic bones that becomes covered with hair at puberty)
- Perineum (the area between the vulva and the anus)
Vulvar cancer usually forms slowly over many years. Abnormal cells can grow on the surface of the vulvar skin for a long time. This condition is called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Because it is possible for VIN to become vulvar cancer, it is important to get treatment.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer include:
Vaginal cancer often does not cause early signs or symptoms. It may be found during a routine pelvic exam and Pap test. Signs and symptoms may be caused by vaginal cancer or by other conditions.
Signs of vulvar cancer include:
Like vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer often does not cause early signs or symptoms. Signs and symptoms may be caused by vulvar cancer or by other conditions.
- Bleeding or discharge not related to menstrual periods
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain in the pelvic area
- A lump in the vagina
- Pain when urinating
- Constipation
Vaginal cancer often does not cause early signs or symptoms. It may be found during a routine pelvic exam and Pap test. Signs and symptoms may be caused by vaginal cancer or by other conditions.
Signs of vulvar cancer include:
- A lump or growth on the vulva that looks like a wart or ulcer
- Itching in the vulvar area that does not go away
- Bleeding not related to menstruation (periods)
- Pain in the vulvar area
Like vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer often does not cause early signs or symptoms. Signs and symptoms may be caused by vulvar cancer or by other conditions.
Causes of Cervical Cancer
Risk factors for vaginal cancer include the following:
Risk factors for vulvar cancer include the following:
Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk.
- Being aged 60 or older
- Being exposed to DES while in the mother's womb. In the 1950s, the drug DES was given to some pregnant women to prevent miscarriage (premature birth of a fetus that cannot survive). Women who were exposed to DES before birth have an increased risk of vaginal cancer. Some of these women develop a rare form of vaginal cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma.
- Having human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
- Having a history of abnormal cells in the cervix or cervical cancer
- Having a history of abnormal cells in the uterus or cancer of the uterus
- Having had a hysterectomy for health problems that affect the uterus
Risk factors for vulvar cancer include the following:
- Older age
- Having human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Having vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)
- Having a history of genital warts
Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk.
Diagnoses
In order to diagnose Vaginal or Vulvar cancer, your doctor might order or a perform a:
- Physical exam and health history
- Pelvic exam
- Pap test
- Colposcopy
- Biopsy
- CT scan
- PET scan
- MRI
- HPV test
