Vaginal Cancer

Overview

• When cancer starts in the vagina, it is called vaginal cancer. The vagina, also called the birth canal, is the hollow, tube-like channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body.
• When cancer forms in the vulva, it is vulvar cancer. The vulva is the outer part of the female genital organs. It has two folds of skin, called the labia.
• Vaginal and vulvar cancers are very rare.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Vaginal discharge
• Itching or burning sensation in vagina
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Lower abdominal pain

Treatment options

• Treatment options depend on tumour stage and size
• Surgery and radiotherapy are very effective in early-stage disease, whereas radiation therapy is the primary treatment for more advanced stages.
• Radical vulvectomy/ vaginal excision was done earlier, and is now being replaced with conservative less mutilating surgery + reconstructive surgery
• Nodal dissection in case of nodal metastasis.