ABSTRACT – Vaginal cancer is the cancer in vagina, the muscular tube in females to connect the uterus to...
Vaginal cancer
Vaginal cancer is the cancer in vagina, the muscular tube in females to connect the uterus to the outer genitals. Other cancers can spread from other body parts to vagina but cancer originating from vagina is rare. Vaginal cancer primarily occurs in the cells that covers the vaginal surface and turns normal cells into abnormal cells, also known as birth canal. Vaginal cancer can be best cured at the early stages as it becomes difficult to treat when it spreads to other body parts.
CAUSES –
- Genetic mutations
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –
- Vaginal bleeding
- Vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pain
- Frequent and painful urination
- Constipation
CAUSES –
- Vaginal cancer can spread and affect the following organs:
- Lungs
- Liver
- Bones
DIAGNOSIS –
- Pelvic Examination
- Blood test
- Urine test
- Biopsy
- Colposcopy – Vaginal examination using a magnifying instrument Colposcope.
- Imaging tests like MRI, CT Scan, X Ray
- Proctoscopy – Small cameras to look inside the body
TREATMENT –
- Surgery:
- Pelvic exenteration – Removal of pelvic organs
- Vaginectomy – Removal of vagina
- Radiation therapy (Internal and External)
- Chemotherapy
RISK FACTORS –
- Ageing
- Pre-existing vaginal conditions
- Multiple sex partners
- Sexual intercourse at an early age
- Smoking and alcohol abuse
- HIV and AIDS
PREVENTION –
- Quit smoking
- HPV Vaccination
- Routine pelvic exams and Pap test
EPIDEMIOLOGY –
- The study showed that approximately 1 out of every 1,100 females suffers from this disease once in their lifetime.
- It had been estimated that around1, 430 females die due to vaginal cancer every year.
- Increasing age increases the risk of developing this condition majorly above the age of 60.
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