Risk Factors, Screening and Diagnosis | Personalized Treatment | Additional Patient Support
Vaginal cancer is extremely rare. Only about 1 of every 1,100 women will develop vaginal cancer in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
The experienced specialists at NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center combine the most advanced scientific knowledge and technology with a collaborative, personalized approach to care. Drawing from the diverse experience of physicians, surgeons, nurses, researchers and a host of other highly trained healthcare professionals, the Kellogg Cancer Center team places patients—and families—at the center of a healthcare experience that delivers compassionate, quality care.
Vaginal Cancer Risk Factors, Screening and Diagnosis
The majority of vaginal cancer results from the spread of a different cancer, such as cervical or endometrial cancer, into the vagina. Primary vaginal cancer is very rare. Women whose mothers took diethylstilbestrol (DES) during the first trimester of pregnancy are at increased risk for developing vaginal cancer. However, DES has not been administered during pregnancy for several decades and thus the overall risk of DES-related cancer of the vagina is very low.
Most women with early stage vaginal cancer will not experience any symptoms. Advanced cancer, though, can cause:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge
- Bleeding during and/or after sexual intercourse
- Pelvic or vaginal pain
Routine examinations including pelvic exams and pap smears can help detect vaginal cancer in its early stages.
If suspicious lesions are found in the vaginal area, your doctor may recommend that a biopsy be performed to determine if cancer is present. If a Pap smear is abnormal and the vagina does not have any visible abnormalities, colposcopy (an examination of the vagina and cervix using a special microscope) may be performed to locate abnormal areas for biopsy. If more tests are necessary, a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis and a chest X-ray may be ordered.
If a diagnosis of vaginal cancer is made, your physician then determines the severity or stage of the cancer. Each cancer type has its own classification system.
Personalized Vaginal Cancer Treatment
Treatment of vaginal cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the type of cancer, the area of the vagina involved, and the age and health of the patient. Surgery is sometimes used to remove the cancer, but most patients are treated with radiation therapy. If the tumor is actually cervical cancer extending into the vagina, then radiation is given with chemotherapy at the same time.
Our multidisciplinary team regularly meets in a multidisciplinary conference to discuss your case in detail and to design a personalized treatment plan. The team may include your gynecologic oncologist, radiation oncologist, geneticist, pathologist, nutritionist, pharmacist, interventional radiologist, social worker and researchers, all focused on you. This "meeting of the minds" provides critical input, resulting in an individualized care plan outlining the best course of action for your care.
Additional Patient Support
Kellogg Cancer Center’s unique services and resources assist patients and family members with a variety of challenges they may face from diagnosis, treatment and beyond. A wide array of support services are available to patients that include our integrative medicine services, financial advocacy and survivorship, to name a few.
For More Information
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, please call 847.570.2639.