Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancer is cancer that occurs in the tissues around the vagina, also called the birth canal. The more common vaginal squamous cell carcinoma begins in the thin, flat cells that line the vagina, while the less common vaginal adrenal carcinoma begins in fluid-producing glands that line the vagina. The cause of this cancer is unknown, but the majority of cases are diagnosed in women over the age of 60. Risk factors include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, having a hysterectomy, and exposure to the anti-miscarriage drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) while in the womb. DES was used in the 1950s and is linked to a form of vaginal cancer called clear-cell adenocarcinoma. Symptoms include lumps in the vaginal area, pain during intercourse, unexpected vaginal bleeding, pain during urination, and constipation. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Immunotherapy using the patient's immune system to treat cancer is also being evaluated for safety and efficacy.