Vaginal cancer occurs in the vagina and most commonly in the cells lining the surface. While rare, it can spread from other areas to the vagina. Early diagnosis provides the best chance of cure while later stages are more difficult to treat. Signs may include abnormal bleeding, discharge, pain and frequent urination. Risk factors include increasing age, pre-cancerous vaginal cells, DES exposure, early sexual activity, multiple partners and smoking. Screening includes pelvic exams and Pap tests, while staging determines cancer extent to guide treatment.

1. VAGINAL CANCER
Presented by: Joel P. Dante RN

2. OVERVIEW
Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer that occurs in your
vagina — the muscular tube that connects your uterus
with your outer genitals. Vaginal cancer most
commonly occurs in the cells that line the surface of
your vagina, which is sometimes called the birth canal.
While several types of cancer can spread to your
vagina from other places in your body, cancer that
begins in your vagina (primary vaginal cancer) is rare.
A diagnosis of early-stage vaginal cancer has the best
chance for a cure. Vaginal cancer that spreads beyond
the vagina is much more difficult to treat.

3. ANATOMY

4. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Unusual vaginal bleeding, for example, after
intercourse or after menopause.

5. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Watery vaginal
discharge

6. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
A lump or mass in your vagina

7. Painful urination
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

8. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Frequent urination

9. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Constipation

10. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Pelvic pain

11. WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
See your doctor if you have any signs
and symptoms related to vaginal
cancer, such as abnormal vaginal
bleeding. Since vaginal cancer doesn't
always cause signs and symptoms,
follow your doctor's recommendations
about when you should have routine
pelvic exams.

12. CAUSES
It's not clear what causes vaginal cancer. In
general, cancer begins when healthy cells acquire
a genetic mutation that turns normal cells into
abnormal cells.
Healthy cells grow and multiply at a set rate,
eventually dying at a set time. Cancer cells grow
and multiply out of control, and they don't die. The
accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor).
Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can break
off from an initial tumor to spread elsewhere in the
body (metastasize).

13. TYPES OF VAGINAL CANCER
Vaginal squamous
cell carcinoma
which begins in the
thin, flat cells
(squamous cells) that
line the surface of the
vagina, and is the
most common type.

14. TYPES OF VAGINAL CANCER
Vaginal
adenocarcinoma
which begins in
the glandular cells
on the surface of
your vagina.

15. TYPES OF VAGINAL CANCER
Vaginal melanoma
which develops in the
pigment-producing
cells (melanocytes)
of your vagina

16. TYPES OF VAGINAL CANCER
Vaginal sarcoma
which develops in the
connective tissue
cells or muscles cells
in the walls of your
vagina

17. RISK FACTORS
Increasing age.
Your risk of vaginal
cancer increases as
you age. Most people
who are diagnosed
with vaginal cancer
are older than 60.

18. RISK FACTORS
Atypical cells
in the vagina called
vaginal intraepithelial
neoplasia. Being
diagnosed with vaginal
intraepithelial neoplasia
(VAIN) increases your
risk of vaginal cancer.

19. RISK FACTORS
Drugs
Exposure to miscarriage
prevention drug. If your
mother took a drug
called diethylstilbestrol
(DES) while pregnant in
the 1950s you may have
an increased risk of a
certain type of vaginal
cancer.

20. RISK FACTORS
Early age to sexual
intercourse.

21. RISK FACTORS
Multiple sexual
partners

22. RISK FACTORS
smoking

23. RISK FACTORS
HIV / aids infection

24. COMPLICATIONS
Vaginal cancer may
spread (metastasize) to
distant areas of your
body, such as your
lungs, liver and bones.

25. SCREENING for VAGINAL
CANCER
Vaginal cancer is sometimes found during a
routine pelvic exam before signs and symptoms
become evident.
Pap tests are usually used to screen for cervical
cancer, but sometimes vaginal cancer cells can be
detected on a Pap test.
How often you undergo these screenings depends
on your risk factors for cancer and whether you've
had abnormal Pap tests in the past. Talk to your
doctor about how often you should have these
health screenings

26. SCREENING

PAP SMEAR

27. SCREENING

PELVIC EXAM

28. STAGING OF CANCER
Once your doctor diagnoses vaginal
cancer, steps will be taken to determine
the extent of the cancer — a process
called staging. The stage of your
cancer helps your doctor decide what
treatments are appropriate for you. In
order to determine the stage of your
cancer, your doctor may use:

29. STAGES
Stage I. Cancer is limited to the vaginal wall.
Stage II. Cancer has spread to tissue next to
your vagina.
Stage III. Cancer has spread further into the
pelvis.
Stage IVA. Cancer has spread to nearby
areas, such as your bladder or rectum.
Stage IVB. Cancer has spread to areas away
from your vagina, such as your liver.

30. RESOURCES
1. www.mayoclinic.org.vaginal.ca/
2. www.google.com/pictures