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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer that occurs in your vagina — the muscular tube that connects your uterus with your outer genitals. Vaginal cancer most commonly occurs in the cells that line the surface of your vagina, which is sometimes called the birth canal.
While several cancers can spread to your vagina from other places in your body, cancer that begins in your vagina (primary vaginal cancer) is rare.
Women with early-stage vaginal cancer have the best chance for a cure. Vaginal cancer that spreads beyond the vagina is much more difficult to treat.
References
- Detailed guide: Vaginal cancer. American Cancer Society. http://documents.cancer.org/5016.00/5016.00.pdf. Accessed Aug. 25, 2008.
- Elkas JC, et al. Vaginal cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 25, 2008.
- Holschneider CH, et al. Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 25, 2008.
- Benefits of good nutrition. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_6_2X_Benefits_of_nutrition_during_treatment.asp?sitearea=MBC. Accessed Aug. 24, 2008.
- FDA Approves Expanded Uses for Gardasil to Include Preventing Certain Vulvar and Vaginal Cancers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01885.html. Accessed Oct. 15, 2008.
- USPPI Patient Information about GARDASIL. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. www.fda.gov/cber/label/gardasilppi.pdf. Accessed Oct. 15, 2008.
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