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VaginalAbout Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal tumors are tissue growths that arise in the vagina. Vaginal cancer is extremely rare, with only 2100 women expected to be diagnosed with the disease every year, making up only 3% of all gynecologic cancers.
Causes and Risk Factors
The majority of cancer in the vagina is the result of the spread of a different cancer, such as cervical or endometrial cancer, into the vagina. Primary vaginal cancer is very rare and only makes up about 1% of all gynecologic malignancies.
Women whose mothers took diethylstilbestrol (DES) during the first trimester of pregnancy are at increased risk for developing clear cell adenocarcinoma.
Symptoms
Most women with early stage vaginal cancer will not experience any symptoms. However, most women with advanced vaginal cancer can experience the following symptoms:
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Abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge
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Bleeding during and/or after sexual intercourse
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Pelvic or vaginal pain
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Pain during urination
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Pain in the pelvic area
