In many cases, the oncological disease of the vagina is metastatic, this is due to the fact that the malignant process from the body and cervix passes to the walls of the vagina. The metastatic form of cancer affects mainly the vagina of the lower third in the vault region.
Also, the cancer of the vagina, according to its characteristics, is divided into exophytic and endophytic forms of development. Exophytic form of development is that on the walls of the vagina the tumor spreads like papillary growths that resemble cauliflower. And the endophytic form of growth lies in the fact that from the very beginning the tumor process sprouts into the underlying tissues, which causes a mutation of these tissues.
Classification of vaginal cancer on the basis of:
0 stage - intraepithelial cancer (preinvasive carcinoma);
Stage 1 - an outgrowth with a diameter of up to two centimeters, does not deepen the submucosal layer deeper, metastasis is not detected.
Stage 2 - a tumor with a diameter of more than two centimeters, which does not extend to the pelvic wall, regional metastases are also not determined.
Stage 3 is a tumor of any size with a paravaginal infiltrate that extends to the pelvic wall and has mobile regional metastases.
Stage 4 - any size of the tumor that grows into the organs next door (mucous membrane of the bladder, urethra, rectum) and tissue (pelvic bone, perineum) with regional fixed metastases.
Diagnosis and clinic of vaginal cancer. The disease of the vaginal cancer in the early stages remains asymptomatic. As the cancer develops, leukemia, spontaneous vaginal discharge from the vagina. Subsequently, pain in the inguinal areas, sacrum and pubic region is added, the urination and stool problems are violated, later the blue or white foot flow develops.
In clinical cases, the diagnosis of vaginal cancer does not cause difficulties. It is found during the examination of the vagina doctor by a tuberous, dense formation, which has the form of a knot, or an ulcer bleeding with nerve-dense edges and a hard bottom.
Cytological examination, that is, a biopsy, when a piece of tissue separates from an ulcer or tumor for examination decides the main role in revealing whether the benign or malignant nature of this tumor.
To clarify whether the process is spreading, namely the presence of mobile regional metastases, and cystoscopy is used to determine the state of neighboring surrounding organs.
To exclude the possibility of a metastatic tumor, ultrasound of the pelvic organs, breast examination (mammary glands), diagnostic separate scraping of a piece of the mucosa of the walls of the cavity and cervix is carried out. Hysteroscopy as directed by a doctor.
Treatment of vaginal cancer. The choice of the method of treatment of vaginal cancer depends on the spread, the stage of development of cancer, the localization or stopping of the vaginal lesion, whether the surrounding organs are involved in the process and, first of all, the general condition of the sick woman.
In the treatment of this disease cryodestruction is applied, surgical intervention that is, dissection of the infected mucous membrane of the vagina within healthy tissues, therapy with the help of an acid laser. Also at an early stage of cancer, a 5% fluorouracil ointment is prescribed daily for 14 days.
Radiation therapy remains the main method of treating vaginal oncology, but such a program is compiled individually for each sick woman. Vaginal cancer is divided into two forms: primary and secondary (metastatic). The primary form of vaginal cancer among all cancers of female genital organs is 1-2%, occurs mainly at any age, but mostly in 50-60 years.