Q: who gets vaginal cancer?

Risk factors are:: The hpv family of viruses encompasses over 100 different strains responsible for cervical cancer, genital warts and vulvar/vaginal cancer. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, early age of first intercourse, history of abnormal pap smear, history of rectal cancer or hiv. Also, taking chronic meds like steroids or immune modulating meds for auto-immune diseases can increase the risk.

Q: can vaginal cancer be cured?

Poor prognosis: Unfortunately, vaginal cancer has a poor prognosis. 80% of vaginal cancers are metastatic (spread) from cancer originating in other organs in the pelvis. If a cancer has already spread, prognosis is usually poor. Overall 5 year survival for vaginal cancer is about 40%. Cancers that are caught early on before they have spread have a better chance of cure.

Q: how is vaginal cancer treated?

Excision: Vaginal cancer is rare and is usually treated with excision of the cancer and possibly lymph node removal. This may be followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Q: how common is vaginal cancer ?

Not very: According to the american cancer society, there are estimated 2680 cases diagnosed in 2012, which is about 1/100 of gynecological malignancies.

Q: how is vaginal cancer diagnosed?

Biopsy: Precancerous lesions are noticed on examination and can be further evaluated by your doctor a number of ways, but most likely need to be biopsied to make the correct diagnosis. After a tissue diagnosis has been made, excision of the lesion is generally recommended.

Q: is vaginal cancer a common thing?

No: It is rare. But it is one of the things that your pcp or gynecologist will look for when they do your pelvic exam.

Q: what are the tests for vaginal cancer?

Physical and biopsy: The first step would be physical examination of the suspected lesion. A biopsy of the lesion and examination of the tissue by a pathologist are usually necessary.

Q: whats new in vaginal cancer research?

Several things: Scientists are learning more about tumor suppressor genes, refining radiation therapy techniques, and developing new procedures for reconstruction after surgery.

Q: how can you know you have vaginal cancer?

Bleeding/GYN exam.: This often presents with no symptoms. The most common symptom is irregular vaginal bleeding, like after intercourse or between periods, or postmenopausal. Other symptoms are pain on urination, pain during intercourse, or pelvic pain. Probably the best way to find out if you have this is by routine gyn exam, pelvic exam, pap smear, colposcopy, etc.. Des exposure predisposes to this cancer.

Question 1

what is vaginal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Cancer in vagina: Age > 60 yrs and exposure to the drug DES - diethyl stilbestrol before birth affect a woman's risk of developing vaginal cancer. There are 2 types - squamous cell vaginal cancer spreads slowly and usually stays near the vagina, but may spread to the lungs and liver. This is the most common type of vaginal cancer. It is found most often in women aged 60 or older. Adenocarcinoma occurs in < 30 yrs.

Question 2

who gets vaginal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Risk factors are:: The hpv family of viruses encompasses over 100 different strains responsible for cervical cancer, genital warts and vulvar/vaginal cancer. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, early age of first intercourse, history of abnormal pap smear, history of rectal cancer or hiv. Also, taking chronic meds like steroids or immune modulating meds for auto-immune diseases can increase the risk.

Question 3

can vaginal cancer be cured?

Accepted Answer

Poor prognosis: Unfortunately, vaginal cancer has a poor prognosis. 80% of vaginal cancers are metastatic (spread) from cancer originating in other organs in the pelvis. If a cancer has already spread, prognosis is usually poor. Overall 5 year survival for vaginal cancer is about 40%. Cancers that are caught early on before they have spread have a better chance of cure.

Question 4

how is vaginal cancer treated?

Accepted Answer

Excision: Vaginal cancer is rare and is usually treated with excision of the cancer and possibly lymph node removal.  This may be followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Question 5

how common is vaginal cancer ?

Accepted Answer

Not very: According to the american cancer society, there are estimated  2680 cases diagnosed in 2012, which is about 1/100 of gynecological malignancies.

Question 6

how is vaginal cancer diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy: Precancerous lesions are noticed on examination and can be further evaluated by your doctor a number of ways, but most likely need to be biopsied to make the correct diagnosis.  After a tissue diagnosis has been made, excision of the lesion is generally recommended.

Question 7

is vaginal cancer a common thing?

Accepted Answer

No: It is rare. But it is one of the things that your pcp or gynecologist will look for when they do your pelvic exam.

Question 8

what are the tests for vaginal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Physical and biopsy: The first step would be physical examination of the suspected lesion.  A biopsy of the lesion and examination of the tissue by a pathologist are usually necessary.

Question 9

whats new in vaginal cancer research?

Accepted Answer

Several things: Scientists are learning more about tumor suppressor genes, refining radiation therapy techniques, and developing new procedures for reconstruction after surgery.

Question 10

how can you know you have vaginal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding/GYN exam.: This often presents with no symptoms.  The most common symptom is irregular vaginal bleeding, like after intercourse or between periods, or postmenopausal.  Other symptoms are pain on urination, pain during intercourse, or pelvic pain.  Probably the best way to find out if you have this is by routine gyn exam, pelvic exam, pap smear, colposcopy, etc..  Des exposure predisposes to this cancer.

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