Vaginal cancer

Vaginal cancer

Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the vagina, the muscular tube that connects the uterus with the outer genitals.

Pronunciation

Vaginal cancer: /vəˈdʒaɪnəl ˈkænsər/

Etymology

The term "vaginal" is derived from the Latin word "vagina," which means sheath or scabbard. The term "cancer" comes from the Latin word "cancer," which means crab, due to the crab-like spread of the disease in the body.

Types of Vaginal Cancer

There are mainly two types of vaginal cancer:

1. Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the most common type of vaginal cancer. It begins in the squamous cells, the thin, flat cells lining the vagina.

2. Adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer begins in the glandular (secretory) cells in the lining of the vagina.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of vaginal cancer include:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• A lump in the vagina
• Frequent urination

Causes

The exact cause of vaginal cancer is not known. However, certain factors increase the risk of developing this disease, such as age, exposure to the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol), and having a history of human papillomavirus (HPV) or cervical cancer.

Treatment

Treatment options for vaginal cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health.

Related Terms

• Cancer
• Vagina
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma
• DES
• Human papillomavirus
• Cervical cancer
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Vaginal cancer
• Wikipedia's article - Vaginal cancer

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