Vaginal Cancer – Vaginal Cancer

Description vaginal cancer

Vaginal cancer is a rare disease, in which cancer cells grow cells from vaginal tissue. The vagina is a tube, which connects the vulva (Outdoor female genital organs) the cervix (the lower part of the uterus). Влагалище также называют “родовой канал”.

Cancer occurs, when the cells of the organism (In this case, the cells of the vagina) start uncontrollably share and form a mass of tissue, called tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors do not spread to other organs.

There are several types of vaginal cancer:

• Плоскоклеточный рак – возникает в слизистой оболочке влагалища;
• Аденокарцинома – возникает в области влагалища, vystlanoy cells, the same cells of the cervix;
  • A special type of this cancer, nazyvayemyi adenocarcinoma svyetloklyetochnaya, It occurs in women, were exposed to a drug called diethylstilbestrol (OF), while, when they were in the womb. This drug has been introduced into use in the late 1930s and is no longer used after 1971 year, so that the frequency of this type of adenocarcinoma, As expected, drop;
• Меланома – обычно поражает нижнюю или внешнюю части влагалища;
• Саркома – рак возникает глубоко в стенках влагалища, rather than on its surface.

Causes of vaginal cancer

The cause of stomach cancer is unknown. Studies show, that there are certain risk factors, Related Disease.

Risk factors for vaginal cancer

Factors, which increase the likelihood of developing cancer of the vagina:

• Age: 60 and older;
• Наличие в прошлом рака шейки матки;
• The presence of precancerous lesions of the cervix or vagina;
• Mother, who took diethylstilbestrol (OF) during pregnancy;
• Инфицирование вирусом папилломы человека (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact (STD);
• Вагинальный аденоз – клетки, lining the vagina like cells of the cervix and uterus;
• Smoking.

The symptoms of vaginal cancer

These symptoms, except for vaginal cancer, They may be caused by other, less serious diseases. If you experience any of them, should see a doctor.

• Bleeding or discharge, Non-menstruating;
• Pain or difficulty with urination;
• Pain during sexual intercourse;
• Pain in the pelvic area;
• Frequent constipation;
• Swelling of the vagina, fingers that probed.

Diagnosis of vaginal cancer

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. You may be directed to the doctor, who specializes in women's diseases (gynecologist). Diagnostic tests may include:

• Пап-тест – отбор для анализа ткани с внутренней стороны влагалища, cervix;
• Кольпоскопия – используется прибор с источником света на конце, by which the doctor examines the vagina and cervix;
• Биопсия – удаление образца вагинальной ткани для тестирования на наличие раковых клеток.

If cancer is detected, appointed additional tests, to determine, whether it has spread to other parts of the pelvis or the body. These tests may include:

• Компьютерная томография – вид рентгена, wherein the computer is used, to make pictures of organs inside the body;
• МРТ – тест, which uses magnetic waves, to make pictures of organs inside the body.

Treatment of vaginal cancer

After detecting vaginal cancer survey is conducted, allowing to determine the extent and scope of its distribution. The treatment method depends on the stage and extent of disease.

Methods of treatment include cancer of the vagina:

Radiation therapy for cancer of the vagina

Лучевая терапия – использование высоких доз радиационного излучения, allowing you to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation, usually, directed at the tumor from a source outside the body. In some cases, the radioactive material may be temporarily placed near the tumor, the radiation is constantly affected the cancer cells. This procedure is called implantation and usually requires a short hospital stay. Other methods of treatment using radiotherapy applied outpatient.

Surgery for cancer of the vagina

The operation involves the surgical removal of cancerous tumors, surrounding tissue, and, perhaps, lymph nodes. Depending on, how much the cancer has spread outside the vagina, the doctor may remove the vagina, cervix, uterus, and sometimes the bladder, of the direct and / or the colon.

Chemotherapy for cancer of the vagina

Химиотерапия – использование лекарственных препаратов для уничтожения раковых клеток. Preparations for the chemotherapy may be given in various forms: Creams, tablets, intravenous injection. Besides creams, in which preparation applied directly to the vaginal wall, chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body, killing mainly cancer, and some healthy cells.

Prevention of cancer of the vagina

Мазок Папаниколау является эффективным инструментом скрининга на рак шейки матки, but it is not a reliable method of detecting vaginal cancer. Nonetheless, regular checkups at the gynecologist may reduce the risk of death from cancer of the vagina, allowing the doctor to detect it before. If you have been exposed to in the womb of diethylstilbestrol, tell your doctor, so that it can be more aware of the risk of developing cancer of the vagina and take appropriate action.

Существует вакцина против ВПЧ под названием Gardasil, которая защищает от четырех типов вируса папилломы человека (HPV). Since HPV associated with certain types of cancer, the vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer, vulva and vagina.