Carcinoma of vagina
Authors:
prim. MUDr. Josef Chovanec, Ph.D.
Authors‘ workplace:
Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika LF MU a FN Brno
Published in:
Prakt Gyn 2006; 10(2): 74-77
Overview
Malignant diseases of the vagina are either primary vaginal cancers or metastatic from adjacent or distant organs. Primary vaginal carcinoma is rare, constituting only 1–2% of all malignant gynecological tumors. It can be effectively treated, and when found in early stages, is often curable. Squamous cell vaginal cancer (approximately 85% of cases) initially spreads superficially within the vaginal wall and later invades the paravaginal tissues and the parametria. Adenocarcinoma (approximately 5–15% of cases) has a peak incidence between 17 and 21 years of age. Prognosis depends primarily on the stage of disease, but survival is reduced in patients who are greater than 60 years of age. Therapeutic alternatives depend on stage; surgery or radiation therapy is highly effective in early stages, while radiation therapy is the primary treatment of more advanced stages. Chemotherapy has not been shown to be curative for advanced vaginal cancer.
Key words:
carcinoma of vagina – etiology – therapy
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Labels
Paediatric gynaecology Gynaecology and obstetrics Reproduction medicineArticle was published in
Practical Gynecology
2006 Issue 2
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