Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer that starts from vaginal cells. Vaginal cancer can affect women of any age, but it is mostly diagnosed in women over 60 years old. The exact cause of vaginal cancer is unknown, but risk factors include Smoking, immune system weakness, and exposure to certain chemicals or radiation.

Vaginal cancer symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during sex and growth mass in vaginal channel Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these approaches. If you have symptoms or have concerns about the risk of vaginal cancer, it is important to talk to Dr. Diana Hosseini, the best gynecologist in Mashhad.

Vaginal cancer: symptoms and treatment methods

Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs in vaginal tissues. This disease usually does not have specific symptoms in its early stages, and for this reason, it can be challenging to diagnose it at the right time. In this article, we will examine the symptoms, stages of progress and treatment methods for vaginal cancer.

Symptoms of vaginal cancer

The symptoms of vaginal cancer may not be clearly visible in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, the following symptoms may appear Slow:

Unusual vaginal bleeding:

such as bleeding after intercourse or after Menopause.

Smelling or bloody discharge:

Watery and foul-smelling discharge that may be a sign of infection or cancer.

Painful intercourse:

Feeling pain or discomfort during intercourse. (The cause of pain and discomfort during sex)

The presence of a lump in the vagina:

Feeling of a lump or bulge in the area Vagina.

Painful and frequent urination:

Feeling pain when urinating or frequent need to urinate.

Pelvic pain:

Feeling pain in the pelvic area that may spread to other areas.

Stages of cancer Vagina

Vaginal cancer usually progresses in different stages:

1. Stage I: Cancer cells are seen only in the wall of the vagina.
2. Stage II: Cancer cells have spread to the tissues around the vagina.
3. Stage III: The growth of cancer cells is seen in the wall of the pelvis.
4. Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other areas such as the bladder, rectum, or other areas. The parts of the pelvis are expanded.

Vaginal cancer treatment methods

Vaginal cancer treatment methods depend on the type and stage of the disease. Treatment options include the following:

Radiotherapy:

This method involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is performed externally (from outside the body) or internally (from inside the body).

Chemotherapy:

Using chemical drugs to destroy cancer cells. This method is usually not used alone and is mostly used together with radiation therapy.

Surgery:

Surgery is usually performed in the early stages of cancer and includes the removal of small tumors or even complete removal of the vagina and other organs. The type of surgery will be different depending on the location and size of the tumor.

Vaginal Reconstruction:

If part of the vagina is removed, the patient may be able to request vaginal reconstruction to maintain their quality of life.

Prevention and after-treatment care

After-treatment care is very important, and patients usually need to see a doctor for regular check-ups. These examinations help to identify any recurrence disease earlier. The support of family and friends is also very effective during this time.

Vaginal cancer can be treated if it is diagnosed in time. Therefore, being aware of the early symptoms and going to the doctor quickly makes a big difference in the outcome of the treatment. The treatment of this disease depends on the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer cells and the general condition of the patient. In the following, we will examine the various methods of treating vaginal cancer.

Surgery

Surgery is one of the main treatment options for vaginal cancer, especially in the early stages of the disease. Different types of surgery include:

Tumor removal: In this method, only the tumor and surrounding tissues that may be infected are removed.

Vaginectomy: In more advanced cases, it may be necessary to completely remove the vagina. This operation may also include the removal of lymph nodes.

Emptying the pelvic cavity: If the cancer has metastasized to other organs, it may be necessary to remove these organs as well.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. This method is usually used in more advanced stages or as an adjuvant treatment after surgery. Radiation therapy is performed in two ways:

External radiation therapy: radiation from outside the body to the cancerous area.

Internal radiation therapy: Placing radiation sources inside the vagina to target cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. This method is mostly used in advanced cases or when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is performed as follows:

Oral: taking drugs in the form of pills.

Injection: injecting drugs into the bloodstream.

Chemotherapy is usually used together with radiation therapy to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

Chemoradiotherapy

This method is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which is more effective than either of these methods alone. Chemoradiotherapy is usually used in advanced stages of cancer or when the tumor is large.

Targeted therapies and immunotherapy

Targeted therapies focus on specific molecules in cancer cells and may be effective for certain types of cancer. The vagina is useful. Immunotherapy also strengthens the body's immune system so that it can fight cancer cells better. These methods are still under research and development and may not be suitable for all patients.

Supportive and palliative care

Supportive care includes the management of symptoms and side effects caused by treatments. This type of care increases the quality of life of patients and helps to reduce pain and discomfort. Finally, choosing the best treatment method should be done by a multi-specialty team consisting of gynecologists, oncologists and other specialists in order to achieve the best results. Cancer prevention Vagina

Vaginal cancer is one of the rare types of cancer that can be reduced by following some tips and preventive measures. In the following, effective methods to prevent this disease are reviewed.

HPV vaccine

Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the main risk factors for vaginal cancer. Receiving the HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of contracting this virus and thus reduces the risk of related cancers, including vaginal cancer. href="https://drdianahoseini.net/pap-smear" style="user-select: auto;">Pap smear helps to detect abnormal changes in vaginal cells early. These changes may be precursors of cancer, and with early detection, more effective treatments can be performed.

Examination by a doctor: Regular visits to a gynecologist to check general health and identify any unusual symptoms are also important.

Leave Smoking

Smoking is one of the risk factors for many types of cancer, including vaginal cancer. Chemicals in cigarettes lead to genetic changes in cells and increase the risk of cancer. Quitting smoking can help reduce this risk.

risk factor management

Family history: If you have a family history of genital cancers, you should be under the care of a doctor and take more preventive measures.

Strengthening the immune system: People who have a weak immune system are more at risk of developing cancer. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition, regular exercise and enough sleep can help strengthen the immune system.

Healthy sexual behaviors

Reducing the number of sexual partners: Having multiple sexual partners can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections and increase the result of cancer.

Condom use: Using condom in sexual relations reduces the risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections.

Awareness and education

Awareness of the early symptoms of vaginal cancer, such as unusual bleeding, abnormal secretions or pain during sex, helps to detect the disease early. It is very important for women to be educated about the signs and symptoms so that they can go to the doctor immediately in case of any suspicious symptoms.

By following these tips and taking preventive measures, you can reduce the chance of getting vaginal cancer and improve general health.

What factors increase the likelihood Vaginal cancer?

Vaginal cancer is a rare disease that can be affected by various factors. The most important factors that increase the risk of this type of cancer are discussed below.

Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV)

Infection with HPV is one of the main risk factors for vaginal cancer. This virus causes abnormal cell changes in vaginal tissues, and some of its types are specifically associated with genital cancers. Most of the diagnosed cases of this cancer are seen in women over 60 years old.

History of other cancers

Women who have a history of genital cancers such as cancer of the cervix, uterus or ovaries, are more at risk of developing vaginal cancer.

weakness of the system Immunity

Women with a weak immune system, such as those with HIV or undergoing immunosuppressive treatments, are at higher risk of developing this type of cancer.

Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN)

The presence of atypical cells in the vagina, known as vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, can increase the risk of vaginal cancer. This condition is usually caused by HPV infection. Smoking is another risk factor for vaginal cancer. The chemicals in cigarettes lead to cancerous changes in cells and weaken the immune system.

Exposure to certain drugs

Women whose mothers used the drug diethylacetylbestrol (DES) during pregnancy may be more likely to are at risk of contracting a certain type of vaginal cancer.

high-risk sexual behaviors

Participating in sexual relations with multiple partners or starting sexual activity at a young age also increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and, as a result, cancer

Understanding these risk factors helps women to take the necessary preventive measures and to see a doctor immediately in case of suspicious symptoms. Early detection and Regular screening can play an important role in reducing the risk of vaginal cancer.

Source:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginal-cancer/