Tumors in the vagina: causes, signs and consequences

As you know, tumors can appear in any organ. Among the female population, there is a wide spread of cervical cancer. This localization of malignant tumors takes second place after breast tumors. In advanced cases, cancer cells pass from the cervix to the vagina. Primary tumors of this organ are rare. All neoplasms are divided into good and malignant. In the first case, the cells that make up the tumor have an identical structure with the organ. That is, they are normal. Malignant neoplasms consist of "atypical" cells. Normally, they should not occur in the body, since their differentiation (division) is not completely complete. Tumors in the vagina can be both good and malignant (cancer). Depending on the size of the formation and structure of its cells, a method of treatment is selected.

The prevalence of tumors of the vagina

Rarely are primary malignant tumors in the vagina. Often they metastasize from other organs. In most cases, the cancer sprouts into the vaginal walls downward. That is, the primary localization of the malignant process is the cervix. Sometimes the vagina sprouts vulvar cancer (labia). Rarely, the tumor metastasizes from a malignant neoplasm of another (remote) organ. The primary cancer of the vagina is only 1-2% among the oncological pathologies of the female reproductive system. It can occur in any age period. The peak incidence falls on 50-60 years. Tumors in the vagina develop earlier, if the woman has a large number of births in the anamnesis. The squamous cell histological variant of cancer is most common. This neoplasm develops from undifferentiated epithelial tissue.

Benign tumors of the vagina occur more often than cancer. They develop from connective, fat and muscle tissue. Unlike cancers, benign lesions occur more often in fertile age. Often, they are diagnosed in women 20-50 years of age. Despite the fact that they are not inclined to spread, treatment of these formations is necessary.

Causes of a tumor in the vagina

Why can there be a tumor inside the vagina? Despite the rapid development of oncology, the causes of the development of cancer are still unknown. It is believed that each histological variant of the neoplasm may have a different origin. For example, the development of light-cell adenocarcinoma is associated with the adverse effect of diethylstilbestrol (DES). This substance belongs to synthetic female sex hormones, created in the first half of the 20th century. Previously, DES was prescribed to women for various disorders of the menstrual cycle, as a contraceptive, and to prevent miscarriages. Nevertheless, later it turned out that this drug has a teratogenic effect on the fetus. In women who have been exposed to DES during the period of fetal development, the risk of developing vaginal cancer is significantly increased. This provoking factor leads to the appearance of light-cell adenocarcinoma at a young age (19-24 years).

In addition, the following causes of primary vaginal cancer:

1. Human papilloma virus. There are many varieties of this pathogen. Some of them are found in tumor cells.
2. Adenosis of the vagina. This pathology is characterized by replacement of the flat epithelium with glandular cells. In some cases, this transformation is observed after the onset of menstruation in healthy women.
3. Chronic inflammation of the vagina. Often associated with the use of uterine rings. It can also develop with advanced infectious processes of bacterial and viral etiology (vaginitis).
4. Smoking.
5. Previously, the onset of sexual activity and the frequent change of partners.
6. The effect of radiation on the body.

What kind of benign formations can develop in the vagina?

A benign vaginal tumor is not an oncological disease. It develops from normal cells of the body. Most often, benign tumors of the genital organs are diagnosed in women with a disrupted hormonal background. The following types of formations are distinguished:

1. Lymphoma of the vagina. This benign tumor is derived from adipose tissue. It occurs less frequently than other neoplasms.
2. Fibroma of the vagina. Occurs as a result of proliferation of connective tissue.
3. Myoma of the vagina. It develops due to the growth of smooth muscle cells.
4. Fibromioma. This formation combines cells of smooth muscles and connective tissue. It occurs more often than other existing tumors of the vagina.
5. Hemangioma. Occurs on the mucous membrane of the organ. It can consist of capillaries or veins.

In addition, benign tumors developing in the vagina, include papillomas and cysts. The first - are due to the proliferation of the papillary layer of the epithelium. They are found in women who are infected with HPV. Vaginal cysts develop from glandular tissue. These formations are cavities filled with a liquid.

Malignant formations: varieties

There are several classifications of vaginal cancer. Malignant tumors of the vagina differ in histological structure, form of growth, stage. Depending on the type of cancer, the prognosis and tactics of treatment are determined. In histology, malignant tumors in the vagina are divided into the following variants:

1. Ploskokletochnye education. This type of cancer occurs in 95% of cases. Often it develops gradually against the background of precancerous processes. Most often, the cancer is localized at the site of the vaginal passage into the cervix.
2. Melanoma. This formation refers to pigmented tumors. It is marked by aggressive aggression, rapid development and a tendency to metastasize. Often, melanoma grows into the vagina of the vulva. More rarely, it is the primary tumor.
3. Clear cell adenocarcinoma. It occurs in young women. Refers to DES-dependent tumors.
4. Secondary adenocarcinomas. These tumors are metastases of tumors from other organs.
5. Sarcoma. Often, it is a tumor of the vaginal wall. It can develop from smooth or striated musculature (occurs in young children).
6. Germinogenic tumor of the vagina. This histological variant of cancer is characterized by the fact that atypical cells are formed in the embryonic period from the sex glands. Can occur at any age, more often - in children.

Depending on the nature of growth, endo- and exophyte neoplasms are isolated. The first - develop in the wall of the organ. Exophytic cancer grows outward, that is - into the vaginal cavity. It is believed that this variant is less often spread by hematogenous way (metastasis).

Tumor of the vagina: symptoms of pathology

Cancer of the vagina can not be manifested for a long time. Sometimes symptoms are noted, such as pain in the lower abdomen, the appearance of bloody discharge during sexual intercourse, leucorrhoea. When the tumor reaches a large size, there may be a feeling of foreign body in the vagina, a violation of urination, defecation. Similar symptoms are noted in both good and malignant formations. In addition to trauma and bleeding, inflammation of the tumor node can develop. In this case, the main symptom is pain, hyperemia of the mucous membrane, possibly - purulent discharge (ulceration, necrosis).

Stages of vaginal cancer

The initial stage is considered pre-cancer. That is, the degeneration of cells is already there, but they have not yet penetrated into the thickness of the tissue. The first stage is characterized by the fact that the tumor size does not exceed 2 cm in diameter. Cancer does not grow into the deep layers of the vaginal wall and does not spread to the lymph nodes. In the second stage, the tumor size is more than 2 cm. At the same time, deep layers are not infiltrated, there are no regional metastases. If in addition to the tumor node there is a paravaginal infiltrate, then this is the third stage of vaginal cancer. Lymph nodes, the walls of the small pelvis may be affected. At the fourth stage, the tumor sprouts into nearby organs or has distant metastases.

Diagnosis of vaginal cancer

In exophytic formations, an initial diagnosis of a vaginal tumor can be made based on a gynecological examination. Photos of this type of cancer can be seen in the specialized literature. Externally exophytic tumors resemble cauliflower. Set the cellular composition of education is possible only after a biopsy with further histological and cytological examination. Thus, the origin of the tumor is revealed. Only after a histological conclusion the doctor can say exactly: whether the patient has cancer or not.

Methods of treatment of benign formations

If there is a benign tumor near the vagina and on its walls, the tactics of treatment depend on the size of the formation. Often in the first 3 months the doctor only observes the patient. With an increase in the size of the tumor or the appearance of any symptoms, treatment is performed. Most often, papillomas and vascular formations undergo cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, laser removal. If the tumor has a wide base, it is excised surgically.

Treatment of vaginal cancer

In malignant tumors of the vagina stage 1-2, radical surgical treatment is performed (removal of the vagina, sometimes with the uterus and appendages). In addition, chemo-, photodynamic and radiotherapy are used. With the oncology process running, palliative operations are performed. If there are distant metastases, prescribe only symptomatic treatment.

Prevention of the appearance of tumors in the vagina

That to avoid occurrence and development of tumors in a vagina it is necessary to visit periodically the gynecologist (not less than 1 time in a year). Also, one should not independently start treatment with hormones, since drugs should be prescribed only by a doctor. When there are any signs of a pathology, it is worth to undergo a gynecological examination. If there is a risk of developing cancer, it is worth to give up smoking, establish nutrition.

Prognosis for tumors in the vagina

The prognosis depends on the origin of the tumor, as well as on the general condition of the woman. In the presence of benign neoplasms, it is necessary to constantly observe the gynecologist. If necessary, remove the tumor. The prognosis for vaginal cancer depends on the stage of the oncological process. On average, the five-year survival rate is 50-60% in patients undergoing radical treatment and radiation therapy.