A One-on-One Approach to Vaginal Cancer Treatment
Only about 1 of every 1,100 women will develop a rare vaginal cancer during her lifetime. Despite the odds, it is vital to have state-of-the-art treatment close to home, which is why so many people count on our hospitals for cancer care in NJ.
Most of these cancers are known as vaginal squamous cell carcinomas, which originate in squamous cells that make up the vagina’s epithelial lining. Other types include adenocarcinomas, which originate in vaginal glands; malignant melanomas, a skin cancer on the outer part of the vagina; and sarcomas, which develop in the muscular wall of your vagina.
Diagnosing and Treating Vaginal Cancer
The following tests are commonly used to detect if a woman has vaginal cancer:
- Colposcopy
- Pap test
- Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Biopsy
Other tests may be performed after the initial diagnosis to better pinpoint the type and stage of cancer.
Treatment options can include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy such as brachytherapy, immunotherapy, or clinical trials. Talk to your doctor about the many options available so you can devise a customized treatment plan that you can feel good about.