cancer

Cancer of the vagina, is a rare kind of cancer in women. In vaginal cancer, cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the vagina. The vagina is the passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods and through which a woman has babies. The vagina is also called the "birth canal." The vagina connects the cervix (the opening of the womb or uterus) and the vulva (the folds of skin around the opening to the vagina).
There are many different types of cancer of the vagina: squamous cell cancer (squamous carcinoma), adenocarcinoma, malignant melanomas, and sarcomas.
About 90% of vaginal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas that begin in the epithelial lining of the vagina. These kinds of cancers tend to occur in the upper area of the vagina near the cervix. Vaginal squamous cell carcinomas do not appear suddenly, they develop over a period of many years from precancerous changes called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (abbreviated as VAIN). Squamous carcinomas are usually found in women between the ages of 60 and 80.
About 5% of vaginal cancers are adenocarcinomas. The most common type of vaginal adenocarcinoma usually develops in women over age 50. Another type called clear cell adenocarcinoma usually occurs in young women who were exposed to Diethhystilbestrol while they were in their mother's womb. Diethylstilbestrol is a hormonal drug that was prescribed between 1940 to 1971 for some women thought to be at increased risk for miscarriages. Adenocarcinomas are often found in women between the ages of 12 and 30.
Malignant melanoma is a cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Malignant melanomas are usually found on sun-exposed areas of the skin but occasionally form on the vagina or other internal organs. They account for about 2% to 3% of all vaginal cancers. Malignant melanoma usually affects the lower or outer portion of the vagina.
About 2% to 3% of vaginal cancers are sarcomas. These cancers form deep in the wall of the vagina, not on its surface epithelium. There are several types of vaginal sarcomas. Some of the types are: leiomyosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcoma. Leiomyosarcomas resemble the involuntary muscle cells of the vaginal wall. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a childhood cancer, usually found before the age of 3. This type of cancer has cells that resemble voluntary muscle cells. Voluntary muscle tissue is not normally found in the vaginal wall.