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Patient and Family Resource Centre Pavilion A, Room 200, local 5930 or 5927 Pavilion E, Room 707, local 2768 www.jgh.ca/gynonc 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