- Vaginal cancer
ICD9 =
ICDO =
OMIM =
MedlinePlus = 001510
eMedicineSubj = med
eMedicineTopic = 3330
MeshID = D014625Vaginal cancer is any type of
cancer that forms in the tissues of thevagina . Vaginal cancer is not common. It occurs primarily in women over age 50, but can occur at any age, even in infancy. When found and treated in early stages (seecancer staging ), it often can be cured.Types of vaginal cancer
Types of vaginal cancer, in order of prevalence, include:
* Vaginal
squamous cell carcinoma arises from the thin, flatsquamous cell s that line the vagina. This is the most common type of vaginal cancer. It is found most often in women aged 60 or older.* Vaginal
adenocarcinoma arises from the glandular (secretory) cells in the lining of the vagina that produce some vaginal fluids. Adenocarcinoma is more likely than squamous cell cancer to spread to thelung s andlymph node s. It is found most often in women aged 30 or younger, and has been found in a small percent of women whose mothers in the 1950s useddiethylstilbestrol to prevent threatened abortions.* Vaginal
germ cell tumor s (primarilyteratoma andendodermal sinus tumor ) are rare. They are found most often in infants and children.*
Sarcoma botryoides , arhabdomyosarcoma also is found most often in infants and children.igns and Symptoms
The most common sign is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which may be postcoital, intermenstrual, prepubertal, or postmenopausal.cite web | title =Vaginal Cancer | work =Gynocologic Malignancies | url=http://www.health.am/cr/more/vaginal-cancer/ | year = 2005 | publisher=Armenian Health Network, Health.am | accessdate=2007-11-08] Other, less specific signs include difficult or painful urination, pain during intercourse, and pain in the pelvic area.
Diagnosis
Several tests are used to diagnose vaginal cancer, including:
* Physical exam and history
*Pelvic exam
*Pap smear
* Biopsy
*Colposcopy References
* [Stenchever: Comprehensive Gynecology, 4th ed., Copyright © 2001 Mosby, Inc.]
ee also
*
Cervical cancer External links
* [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/vaginal National Cancer Institute: Vaginal Cancer]
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