Download Vaginal Cancer

Patient and Family Resource Centre
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HEALTH INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS FOLLOWED IN
THE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY SERVICE
Vaginal cancer
FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY:
What Is Vaginal Cancer?
The vagina is a 3 to 4 inch (7 1/2 to 10 cm) tube. Its
upper part ends at the cervix, the lower part of the
uterus (womb). The lower end opens to the outside
onto the vulva, the external genitals. The vagina is
sometimes called the birth canal. A thin layer called
the epithelium lines the walls of the vagina. The
epithelium is formed by squamous epithelial cells.
The vaginal walls have many folds that help the
vagina to open and expand during sexual intercourse
or birth of a baby. Glands in its wall secrete mucus to
keep the vaginal lining moist.
For more information please talk to your doctor or visit the
American Cancer Society website: see over
FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE:
Vaginal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the vagina.
When found in early stages, it can often be cured. There are two main types:
™ Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer that forms in squamous cells, the thin, flat cells
lining the vagina. Squamous cell vaginal cancer spreads slowly and usually stays
near the vagina, but may spread to the lungs and liver. This is the most common
type of vaginal cancer. It is found most often in women aged 60 or older.
™ Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in glandular (secretory) cells. Glandular cells
in the lining of the vagina make and release fluids such as mucus. Adenocarcinoma
is more likely than squamous cell cancer to spread to the lungs and lymph nodes. It
is found most often in women aged 30 or younger.
For more information please talk to your doctor or visit the National Cancer Institute website:
see over
Turn over for more useful resources →
Please note: The information provided by the Library is for educational purposes. The Library
staff are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose illness or recommend treatment. We
encourage you to discuss the information we provide with your doctor or healthcare professional.
September 2009
USEFUL WEBSITES
™
BC CANCER AGENCY (BCCA)
The BC Cancer Agency’s mandate covers the spectrum of cancer care from prevention
and screening, to diagnosis, treatment, and through to rehabilitation.
www.bccancer.bc.ca > Patient/Public info > Types of cancer > Vagina
™
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
The US Government's main agency for cancer research and training.
www.cancer.gov > Cancer topics > PDQ® > Adult treatment > V > Vaginal cancer
[patient]
www.cancer.gov > Cancer topics > All cancer types > V > Vaginal cancer
™
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
www.cancer.org > Choose a cancer topic > Vaginal cancer
™
CLEVELAND CLINIC
www.clevelandclinic.org > By All Topics (A-Z) > V > Vaginal cancer
™
MAYO CLINIC
www.mayoclinic.com > Diseases and conditions > Vaginal cancer
™
MEDLINEPLUS (Developed by the National Library of Medicine)
www.medlineplus.com > Health topics > Disorders and conditions: Cancers >
Vaginal cancer
www.medlineplus.com > Medical Encyclopedia > V > Vaginal tumors
™
WOMEN’S CANCER NETWORK
The mission of the Women's Cancer Network is to keep women informed and to enable
them to be their own health advocates. The Women's Cancer Network was developed
by The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation.
www.wcn.org > Types of cancer > Vaginal Cancer
USEFUL BOOKS
™
™
™
Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic: Guide to Women's Cancers (hardcover). Kensington
Publishing Corp; 2005. ISBN-10: 189300533X ISBN-13: 978-1893005334
American Cancer Society. Women and cancer. Villard Books; 1999. ISBN-10:
0679778144 ISBN-13: 978-0679778141
Onkolink recommendation: www.oncolink.com/library/library.cfm?c=1 > Women’s
issues
September 2009