Before proceeding to risk factors, first, we have to understand what vaginal cancer is; it arises in the tissues of the vagina, the muscle tube connecting the external genitals to the uterus; typically, it develops from the cells lining the vagina. Vaginal cancer is sporadic; the majority of cases of the vagina are metastatic diseases; cancer starts in the body and spreads to the vagina; most metastatic cancer is spread either from the cervix or vulva because they all are related to HPV.
Vaginal cancer commonly affects postmenopausal women aged 50 or older, primarily ordinary in black or Latinx women than white women. When a vaginal tumor enlarges to the cervix, it’s called ad cervical cancer, and if it extends to the vulva, it’s called vulvar cancer. If you feel any effects of vaginal cancer, consider going to an expert gynecologist in Bhubaneswar to avoid any severe issues.
The WHO Global strategy has reduced the number of new cases annually to 4 or a few per 100,000 women and set three targets to achieve by the year 2030 to put all countries on the pathway to eliminate these:
- By the age of 15, 90% of girls are vaccinated with HPV.
- By ages 35 and 45, 70% of women screened with a high-quality test.
- 90% of women receive cervical disease treatment.
Causes Of Vaginal Cancer
If we see about 80-90% of vaginal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, it begins in the cells, the line inside of the vagina. Of them, fewer than 15% are adenocarcinomas, which arise in the glands that make the fluid to lubricate the vagina. 3% are sarcomas, in the form of muscle deep in the vagina wall, and within them, fewer are melanoma, a fast-growing form of skin cancer. You can get all the information regarding cancer by searching for the best gynecology doctor in Bhubaneswar to guide you in understanding cancer prevention.
These are the major causes of Vaginal Cancer:
- Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV): It is one of the significant risk factors for cancer is infection with HPV; this is a sexually transmitted virus it can cause in the vagina cells to lead to cancer HPV-16, and HPV-18 are vital factors in the development of Vaginal Cancer.
- Age: This cancer is commonly diagnosed in older women with age over 50, and the risk increases with age, over time, and the change of hormonal levels.
- Old Cervical of Vulvar Cancer: Women who have cervical or premalignant cervical lesions are at a high risk of producing vaginal cancer; it has a prominent link between HPV infection and both cervical and Vagianl cancer. If you are facing any difficulties or feel cancer symptoms, don’t be late. Search for a Gynecologist near me Bhubaneswar for a proper checkup with effective treatment.
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES): Women who suffer from DES, a synthetic estrogen prescribed to their mothers during pregnancy, have a significant risk of developing vaginal cancer.
- Smoking: It is a severe risk factor for many types of cancer, including vaginal cancer; carcinogens in tobacco may damage the DNA in cells, which have likely to lead to cancer, and women who smoke or have a history of smoking are at high risk.
- Poor Hygiene: Constant irritation and poor hygiene may contribute to the development of vaginal cancer; continual irritation or injury to the vagianal tissues may increase the chance of cancer.
Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer
These are the significant symptoms of recognizing vaginal cancer:
- Abnormal Bleeding: Most typical symptom is vaginal bleeding, including bleeding between periods or post-menopause; if you feel any unexpected bleeding during the menstrual cycle, then you can consult to experienced gynecologist, Bhubaneswar, to guide you with proper expertise.
- Vaginal Discharge: Vaginal cancer women may notice an unusual discharge from the vagina; it may be a watery, lousy odor or staining blood; it is different from normal discharge, which often is a sign of cancer.
- Pelvic Pain: Feeling pressure in the pelvic area can be a sign of cancer; this ache may be caused by the growth of a tumor or the spread of cancer near the tissues.
- Burning during Urination: When you feel constant burning during urination or a change in urinary frequency, then it might be an indication of cancer.
- Masses: It means visible tumors that appear as lumps or bumps or may be felt during self-examination.
Risk Factors
These are the most increasing risk factors:
- HPV
- Genital Warts and Genital Herpes
- Hysterectomy
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
- Radion of Chemotherapy Treatments
- Trichomoniasis
- Past Cervical cancer
How to Diagnose Vaginal Cancer?
Doctors can take various details from patients to identify the proper problem; they consider a physical exam by inspecting the vagina visually by using a speculum, and even doctors analyze the pelvic region by hand, placing two fingers in the vagina. The other is in the abdomen to feel any unusuality, and sometimes tumor is detected towards the anus, or else the doctor may use a vaginoscopy to examine the inside condition of the vagian; a thin tube with a camera at the end is inserted in the vagina and images are conveyed to the screen for doctor review. Consider the best Bhubaneswar gynecology services to get better checkups and expert care.
How Vaginal Cancer is Treat?
If cancer is diagnosed early, the tumor is small and isn’t spread; then doctors can perform surgery to remove cancer; they remove the tumor in the edge of surrounding tissue plus lymph nodes without damaging the function of the bladder. Vaginal cancer needs chemotherapy along with radiation therapy, removal of the parts of the colon depending on how far the cancer is spread, and removal of the bladder, called a Urostomy. If the rectum and anus are removed, they need a perpetual colostomy.
Conclusion
Proper understanding of vaginal cancer is necessary to be aware of any risk factors which can aid early detection. Regular checkups are vital; for more information, you can search for an expert gynecologist in Bhubaneswar to manage these life risks.
To learn more information or any queries related to Vaginal Cancer, contact Dr. Ushashree Das for all answers to your queries with expertise. Schedule your appointment today for a hassle-free consultation.