Vaginal cancer is any cancer that starts in the vagina. This type of cancer is very rare. It’s more common for a cancer to start in the cervix or vulva and grow into the vagina. In those cases, the cancer is considered cervical cancer or vulvar cancer.
Types of vaginal cancer
The most common type of cancer that starts in the vagina is squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma grows in the squamous cells – a type of flat skin cell that usually lines the walls of the vagina. Squamous cells also exist in skin all over the body.
Adenocarcinoma is another type of vaginal cancer. It makes up about 10% of vaginal cancer diagnoses. Adenocarcinomas grow in gland cells in the vagina.
Two other types of vaginal cancer, melanoma and sarcoma occur even less often than adenocarcinomas. Melanoma vaginal cancer starts in cells that produce pigment. Sarcoma vaginal cancer starts inside the walls of the vagina.
Risk factors for vaginal cancer
There’s no known cause of vaginal cancer. However, there are several risk factors that make it more likely for someone to be diagnosed with vaginal cancer, including:
- Being over 60 years old
- Having a previous hysterectomy for a benign or cancerous tumor
- Having certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
- Having had cervical cancer
- Smoking
- Having HIV
Having any of these risk factors doesn’t mean that you’ll get vaginal cancer. And some people are diagnosed with vaginal cancer even though they don’t have any risk factors.
What are the early signs of vaginal cancer?
Early symptoms of vaginal cancer may include:
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge not due to menstruation
What do vaginal cancer symptoms look and feel like?
Vaginal cancer grows inside the body, so most people won’t see their own symptoms of vaginal cancer. Your health care provider may be able to see changes in your vagina during a pelvic exam or in results from any imaging tests.
In the early stages, vaginal cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms you can feel. If vaginal cancer is more developed, you may be able to feel a physical lump. Or you may have these potential symptoms of vaginal cancer:
- Pain in the pelvis or vagina
- Constipation
- Pain when urinating
- Back pain
Vaginal cancer diagnosis
You may be diagnosed with vaginal cancer during an annual physical. Your doctor will ask about your potential symptoms and may perform a pelvic exam and Pap smear. Tests that may be recommended to diagnose vaginal cancer are:
- Colposcopy: Examines the cervix and the walls of the vagina with a colposcope (specially designed microscope). A biopsy may be performed during this test.
- Chest X-ray: Checks for potential vaginal cancer that has spread to the lungs.
- CT scan: Takes more detailed images of any tumors.
- MRI: Uses radio waves to create many detailed images of the vagina and other tissues.
Vaginal cancer treatment
If you have vaginal cancer, our gynecologic oncologists will probably recommend chemotherapy and radiation therapy for treatment. As always, our doctors work as part of an experienced multidisciplinary team, who discuss your case and decide on the most advanced, personalized treatment for you.
Support services
Cancer is a complex journey for patients and families. Before cancer, life had challenges; now they may seem insurmountable. Anxieties about health, keeping up with daily activities, and maintaining important relationships are common among people who have cancer and their families.
Our patient and family support services are here to help our patients so they know they have someone experienced to count on when they need it. We are here to make a difference – not just in your cancer outcome – but in the moments along the way, so you and your loved ones know there is always someone to help.
For an appointment with one of our counselors in the Cancer Patient Support Program or the Psychosocial Oncology Program, please call 336-713-6954.
For questions about the Cancer Survivorship Clinic, please call 336-713-1736.
Research and clinical trials
As part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, our patients have access to clinical trials – investigational treatments that help advance our understanding of fighting and curing cancer.
Patients with gynecologic cancers are offered participation in clinical trials initiated by investigators at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, as well as through national collaborative groups and partnerships with industry. Open trials emphasize the management of newly diagnosed and recurrent ovarian cancer using novel chemotherapy and biological agents.
Many of these trials are only available right here at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and our physicians and staff will help you decide if choosing that pathway to treatment is right for you.