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Vaginal Cancer: Symptoms, Signs and Causes

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Vaginal cancer symptoms may vary from one patient to another. The commonly observed symptoms include abnormal bleeding and discharge, pain and discomfort, rectal bleeding, problems related to urination, the presence of a lump, and unintended weight loss.

The exact cause of vaginal cancer is unknown. However, certain risk factors or possible vaginal cancer causes have been identified, and being associated with these factors can increase one’s vaginal cancer risk.

Who is Mainly Affected by Vaginal Cancer?

Vaginal cancer may occur in any woman. However, certain individuals have a higher chance of developing this cancer. Elderly women, women who smoke, or women who are prenatally exposed to diethylstilbestrol are more vulnerable to vaginal cancer. The risk of vaginal cancer is also high in women with a family or personal history of vaginal cancer, a history of human papillomavirus infection, a history of abnormal cervical cells, or a history of radiation exposure. Women with compromised immunity are also at risk for vaginal cancer.

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What are the Common Symptoms and Signs of Vaginal Cancer?

Some of the common vaginal cancer symptoms are:

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Patients with vaginal cancer experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after sexual intercourse. The vaginal bleeding may occur in between the regular menstrual periods and after menopause.

Unusual Vaginal Discharge

One of the most common vaginal cancer symptoms is unusual vaginal discharge. The normal vaginal discharge is usually thin and milky white. However, the vaginal discharge in vaginal cancer patients is generally pale and thick and has a foul smell.

Pain or Discomfort

There is a feeling of pain or discomfort in patients with vaginal cancer. Pain may be consistent or intermittent and may also occur during sexual intercourse.

Changes in Urination

Patients with vaginal cancer have altered urination habits. These include painful urination, urinary urgency, and increased urination frequency.

Constipation or Rectal Bleeding

Vaginal cancer symptoms also include altered bathroom habits, blood in urine or stools, and constipation.

Pelvic Mass or Lump

Patients with vaginal cancer may also have a pelvic mass or lump, which is usually palpable. It is most commonly detected during the pelvic examination in patients suspected of vaginal cancer.

Pain in the Back or Legs

Pain in the lower back, legs, and pelvic region is also one of the vaginal cancer symptoms. The pain may progress to increased severity as the cancer progresses.

Weight Loss and Fatigue

Weight loss and fatigue may also be caused by vaginal cancer. Patients with vaginal cancer may have a loss of appetite, leading to weight loss. Problems with the gastrointestinal system in advanced vaginal cancer may include reduced nutrient absorption, blocked bowel, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of fullness.

Vaginal Cancer Type & Its Symptoms

Vaginal cancer types and their symptoms are:

Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Patients with vaginal squamous cell carcinoma experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, a palpable lump in the vagina, thick or watery discharge, and lower back pain.

Symptoms of Adenocarcinoma

The symptoms of adenocarcinoma include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, and fatigue.

Symptoms of Clear Cell Carcinoma

Clear cell carcinoma symptoms include vaginal bleeding in postmenopausal women or in between the normal menstrual cycle, postcoital bleeding, and vaginal ulcer.

Symptoms of Sarcoma

The symptoms of vaginal sarcoma include vaginal bleeding, the presence of vaginal mass, and difficulty in defecation.

Symptoms of Melanoma

Symptoms of vaginal melanoma include palpable vaginal mass, abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, and pain.

Symptoms of Small Cell Carcinoma

Symptoms of vaginal small cell carcinoma include a burning sensation during urination, vaginal mass, post-menopausal bleeding, and pain during sexual intercourse.

Symptoms of Undifferentiated Carcinoma

Symptoms of undifferentiated carcinoma include vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse, and the presence of a vaginal mass.

What are the Causes of Vaginal Cancer?

Patients often wonder, “What causes vaginal cancer?”. The exact cause of vaginal cancer is unknown. However, we do know that certain individuals have a higher risk due to the presence of certain factors. These factors could be called risk factors or possible causes. The following are identified as possible vaginal cancer causes:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

HPV infection is identified as one of the potential vaginal cancer causes. It has been reported that HPV infection accounts for almost 70% of vaginal cancer cases. A study reported an association between HPV-16 infection and the occurrence of vaginal squamous cell carcinoma and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.

Age

The risk of vaginal cancer increases with age. The average age for the diagnosis of vaginal squamous cell carcinoma is 60 years.

History of Abnormal Cervical Cells

Patients with a history of cervical cancer or the presence of abnormal cervical cells may develop vaginal cancer. Such women need to undergo routine examinations.

Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Women who are prenatally exposed to diethylstilbestrol may develop vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma. Women with established in-utero exposure should undergo lifelong vaginal and cervical cancer screening.

Smoking

Tobacco contains almost 500 harmful chemicals, of which several are carcinogens and tumor promoters. Therefore, smoking is also identified as one of the possible vaginal cancer causes.

Weakened Immune System

A compromised immune system is also identified as one of the potential vaginal cancer causes. The immune system plays a major role in detecting and destroying abnormal cells. A compromised immune system fails to kill abnormal vaginal cells, causing their growth and multiplication.

Personal or Family History

Women with a history of vaginal cancer, especially those diagnosed with advanced-stage vaginal cancer, may have a vaginal cancer recurrence. Women with a family history of vaginal cancer may also develop this disease.

Radiation Exposure

A history of radiation therapy for other genitourinary cancers, such as bladder cancer, endometrial cancer, and cervical cancer, is one of the causes of vaginal cancer. It is due to radiation-induced mutations in healthy vaginal cells.

When to see a Gynecologic Oncologist?

Several symptoms of vaginal cancer overlap with those of other gynecological conditions. One must consult a gynecologist if they start experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, pelvic or low back pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and pain during or after sexual intercourse.

Conclusion

Commonly observed vaginal cancer symptoms include palpable vaginal mass, abnormal vaginal bleeding, constipation, pelvic pain, low back pain, fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite. The possible causes of vaginal cancers are increasing age, history of vaginal cancer or other gynecological cancer, radiation therapy, HPV infection, smoking, and exposure to diethylstilbestrol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is most at risk of developing vaginal cancer?

Women who are > 60 years of age, exposed prenatally to diethylstilbestrol, smoke, and have compromised immune systems are at risk for developing vaginal cancer.

HPV infection is an important risk factor for vaginal cancer. Approximately 70% of all cases of vaginal cancer are attributed to human papillomavirus infection.

Early vaginal cancer symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding between menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, and vaginal discharge.

It is difficult to notice vaginal cancer as several of its symptoms overlap with various gynecological conditions. No gynecological symptoms should be ignored, especially if they are persistent. One must promptly consult a gynecologist if something alarming is observed.

In the early stages of vaginal cancer, the pain may be absent or mild, if present. The severity of pain increases as the disease progresses.