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Vaginal cancer is a rare form of cancer that develops in the muscle tube connecting the uterus to the outer genitalia, or vagina. The vagina, also known as the birth canal, is lined with cells, and these cells are where vaginal cancer most frequently develops. The likelihood of a cure is highest when vaginal cancer is discovered in its early stages. The treatment for vaginal cancer that has spread outside of the vagina is substantially more challenging. We will discuss vaginal cancer treatment and causes in this blog and all it's challenges.
Synopsis
Diagnosis and Treatment
The following tests and procedures are used for the diagnosis of vaginal cancer:
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Pelvic exam
The healthcare professional will visually examine the vulva and feel for any anomalies by inserting two fingers within the vagina. The vagina is spacious. Sometimes the two walls can be temporarily gently separated using a device known as a speculum, making it simpler to see the cervix and vaginal canal.
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Pap Smear
The healthcare professional will scrape cells from the cervix while holding the vagina open with a speculum and a spatula-like tool. For indications of malignancy or HPV, these cells will be examined in a lab. It takes a few seconds to take smear.
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Colposcopy
The doctor will examine the vagina and cervix using lighted equipment called a colposcope or vaginoscope to check for abnormal cells.
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Biopsy
It is frequently performed by colposcopy. In order to check for cancer cells, the healthcare professional will collect a pinch of tissue sample. With friendly advanced local anaesthesia, it is painless. The treatment is determined by the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the patient's age. Precancerous cells are typically treated with removal, laser surgery and topical therapies. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are frequently needed to treat invasive vaginal cancer. There are several therapies that you might get.
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Surgery
- Wide local excision
The tumour and some of the surrounding healthy tissue are removed.
- Vaginectomy (Partial or Radical)
Depending on the size and location of the tumour, the doctor may remove all or some parts of the vagina. The doctor may advise having the lymph nodes, uterus, and cervix removed (lymph node dissection), depending on how far the cancer has spread (hysterectomy).
- Pelvic Exenteration
This is needed in advanced cases. This procedure removes several organs, including the bladder, uterus, cervix, vagina, ovaries, and adjacent lymph nodes from the pelvis. The gynaecologic oncologists in saltlake, Kolkata will create an opening in the abdomen for urination and bowel movement (called a stoma or ostomy bag). This surgery is recommended if someone has cancer that keeps coming back.
- Radiation Therapy
Radiation kills cancer cells or prevents them from proliferating by using focused energy beams, like X-rays.
- External Radiation Therapy
High-energy radiation beams are focused on the tumour by an external machine.
- Internal Radiation Therapy
Radioactive materials are inserted into or close to the tumour in the vagina using catheters or sealed wires. These give short doses of radiation and are removed after each dose.
- Chemotherapy
In this, cancer cells are killed using medications.
- Clinical Trials
World is advancing quick to find novel cancer treatment. Without the help of patients this cannot be achieved. The doctor might offer the patient to enrol in a clinical study to check out innovative cancer treatments.
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