About this Cancer
In 2019, there were 1,070 Canadian women diagnosed with other female genital system cancers.
In 2022, 488 Canadian women died from other female genital system cancers.”
– Abnormal vaginal bleeding, for example bleeding in between menstrual periods, following menopause or after intercourse).
– Foul smelling vaginal discharge or discharge that contains blood
– Painful sexual intercourse
– A mass in the vagina that can be felt
– Recurring pain in the pelvis, back, legs and the perineum
– An alteration in bladder habits, including burning or difficulty urinating, frequent urination, blood in the urine and an *emergent* need to urinate
– An alteration in bowel habits, including bloody stool, constipation and irritating bowel movements
– Swelling in the leg or groin
For more information, please consult Symptoms of vaginal cancer
- Human Papillomavirus Infection:
- Human papillomavirus represents a group of more than 100 related viruses. Human papillomavirus can cause warts on different areas of the body, including on the genitals. A lot of people who develop vaginal cancer have an HPV infection but having an infection does not automatically mean you will develop cancer.
- Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) prior to birth:
- DES is a type of synthetic estrogen that was used between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriages and early labour from occurring. However, those born to women that took DES during pregnancy are at a greater risk for developing clear cell adenocarcinoma, a type of vaginal cancer.
- A history of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL):
- Squamous intraepithelial lesion is a precancerous condition occurring in the cervix and it increases the risk for developing vaginal cancer.
- A compromised immune system:
- A weak immune system due to HIV (AIDS), an organ transplant, or other reasons, heightens the risk of developing vaginal cancer.
- A history of anal, cervical or vulvar cancer:
- Individuals with a personal or familial history of anal, cervical or vulvar cancer are at a greater risk for developing vaginal cancer.
- Radiation therapy to the pelvis:
- Individuals that received pelvic radiation therapy to treat cancer or other health conditions have an increased risk for developing vaginal cancer.
For more information, please visit Risks for vaginal cancer
– Health history: In diagnosing vaginal cancer, your doctor may ask questions regarding your history of smoking, HIV, symptoms that could indicate vaginal cancer, and cervical vulvar, or anal cancer, and whether you were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) prior to birth.
– Physical exam: A physical exam enables your doctor to check for any signs of vaginal cancer. Your doctor may decide to do a pelvic exam, a digital rectal to check for masses, they may feel the lymph nodes in the groin and above the collarbone region to determine if they are swollen.
– Colposcopy: A colposcopy uses a colposcope to look at the vulva, the vagina and the cervix. It is generally done following an abrnomal pap test or a positive HPV test result that suggests you may have a precancerous condition of the vagina/vaginal cancer.
– Biopsy: In a biopsy, the doctor removes tissues or cells from the body so they can be tested in a lab. The pathologist’s report will demonstrate if there are cancer cells found in the sample. Colposcopic biospy, CT-guided biopsy and Sentinel lymph node biopsy are used to test vaginal cells.
– X-ray: X-rays use minor doses of radiation to produce an image of parts of the body. It can be used to assess if the cancer has spread to the lungs or bones.
– CT scan: A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses x-ray equipment to produce images of the body. A CT scan is used to determine the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread.
– MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic forces and radiofrequency waves to produce images of the body. An MRI can be used to determine if the cancer has spread, and it can help doctors with determining prognosis, treatment response and cancer recurrence.
– Intravenous pyelogram: An intravenous pyelogram is a distinct x-ray of the urinary system that may be used to determine if cancer is blocking the ureters, which are the tubes that link the kidneys to the bladder.
– PET scan: A PET scan uses radioactive materials such as radiopharmaceuticals to observe changes in the metabolic activity of body tissues. A PET scan is generally done in combination with a CT scan to highlight the abnormal area. It is also occasionally used to determine if the cancer has spread.
For more information, please visit Diagnosis of vaginal cancer
– Stage 1 vaginal cancer can be treated with radiation therapy and surgery
– Stage 2 vaginal cancer can be treated using radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy
– Stage 3 and Stage 4A vaginal cancer can be treated through radiation therapy and surgery
– Stage 4B vaginal cancer can be treated through radiation therapy and chemotherapy
– Recurrent vaginal cancer can be treated through radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery
For more information, please consult Treatments for vaginal cancer
Stories from Survivors
We currently do not have any vaginal cancer stories. If you have any, please send them to us at info@survivornet.ca.
Resources
Vaginal Cancer Groups
Gynecologic Cancer Initiative: The Gynecologic Cancer Initiative accelerates transformative research on prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship of gynecologic cancers to reduce the incidence, death and suffering by 50% by 2034.