{"id":289932,"date":"2026-09-24T14:17:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T14:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=289932"},"modified":"2026-09-24T14:17:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T14:17:22","slug":"cancer-care-vaginal-cancer-symptoms-causes-types-diagnosis-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/cancer-care-vaginal-cancer-symptoms-causes-types-diagnosis-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Vaginal Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
What Is Vaginal Cancer?<\/a><\/li>
Types of Vaginal Cancer<\/a><\/li>
Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer<\/a><\/li>
Causes and Risk Factors of Vaginal Cancer<\/a><\/li>
What Does Vaginal Cancer Look Like?<\/a><\/li>
How Is Vaginal Cancer Diagnosed?<\/a><\/li>
Vaginal Cancer Treatment<\/a><\/li>
Can Vaginal Cancer Be Prevented?<\/a><\/li>
When to Consult a Doctor?<\/a><\/li>
Conclusion<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nVaginal cancer refers to cancer that starts in the cells of the vagina 1<\/a><\/sup>. It contributes to 1%-2% of all cancers affecting the female reproductive system and mostly affects women in their later life 2<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vaginal cancer often does not show any symptoms in its early stages. However, an awareness of its signs and symptoms and adopting certain preventive measures can help in early detection and thereby curing the disease 3<\/a><\/sup>. In this blog, we will cover what vaginal cancer is, its types, causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What Is Vaginal Cancer?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nVagina is a part of the female reproductive system that connects the cervix (opening of the uterus) to the outside of the body 1<\/a><\/sup>. Vaginal cancer is a rare form of cancer that develops in the vagina and more commonly seen with advancing age. It may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, a lump in the vagina, pelvic pain, or pain during sex 4<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vaginal cancer can be primary, meaning that the cancer starts in the cells of the vagina, or secondary (metastatic), meaning that cancer that started in another part of the body has spread to the vagina 5<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vaginal cancer is included under gynaecologic cancers along with cervical, ovarian, uterine and vulvar cancers. The name of cancer is determined by the organ the cancer has developed from. Cervical cancer<\/a><\/strong> develops from the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus; ovarian cancer from the ovaries, which are situated on each side of the uterus; uterine cancer from the uterus; and vulvar cancer from the vulva, which is the outer part of the female sex organs 6<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Types of Vaginal Cancer<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"Types$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Vaginal cancers are divided into mainly four types based on the type of cells from which they originate and can be 7<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Vaginal Squamous Cell Carcinoma:<\/strong> These types of cancers arise from the flat cells lining the vagina7<\/a><\/sup>. They are considered the most common type of vaginal cancer and comprise approximately 90% of all vaginal tumours 2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Vaginal Adenocarcinoma:<\/strong> Cancers that arise from the glandular cells of the vagina7<\/a><\/sup>. 2% to 4% of vaginal cancers are adenocarcinomas, and younger women are mostly affected 2<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Vaginal Melanoma:<\/strong> Cancers that arise from the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) of the vagina.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Vaginal Sarcoma:<\/strong> Smooth muscle cells or connective tissue cells are involved in this type of cancer7<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In addition to these, there are some other types of vaginal cancers which are extremely rare. These include small cell cancer (oat cell cancer), vaginal lymphoma, and carcinoid cancer, which develop from different types of cells in and around the vagina 8<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEarly Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When vaginal cancer is in its early stages and only involves the cells of the vagina, signs and symptoms may not be seen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some signs and symptoms, if present in early stages, include 9<\/a>,10<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Pain during sex\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Abnormal vaginal bleeding (particularly after sex or after menopause)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Vaginal itching<\/a><\/strong> that does not go away\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Pain or increased frequency when urinating\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Pelvic or lower abdominal pain\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Late Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nVaginal cancer symptoms and signs may be more commonly observed once the cancer has spread. These include 9<\/a><\/sup>:\u00a0<\/p>
<\/div>