Vaginal Cancer

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What is Vaginal Cancer?

The vagina is the narrow tube-like muscular canal that connects the cervix to the outside of the body. It is also known as the birth canal. When cancer originates in the vagina, it is called vaginal cancer and it is very rare. It can be easily cured if diagnosed at an early stage; however, at the advanced stages, it becomes difficult to treat. Vaginal cancers are of different types:
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Clear cell carcinoma

Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer

The symptoms of vaginal cancer can be easily mistaken for some other medical conditions. Therefore, even a slightest of discomfort, which runs for an extended period, should be discussed with a specialist. Some of the signs and symptoms are:
Bleeding or discharge not related to menstrual periods or abnormal periods
Pain in the pelvic area, especially when you pass urine or have sex
A lump in the vagina
A change in bathroom habits, like frequent urination, blood in the urine or stool, or feeling constipated.

Screening & Diagnosis of Vaginal Cancer

At Sakhi oncology, we guide you to the most advanced imaging and pathology resources available so that your diagnosis is concrete right from the beginning and no crucial treatment is lost.
If you have symptoms indicative of vaginal cancer, Dr. Monika Pansari will check general signs of health and may perform the following:
Pelvic exam: Where doctor will check the cervix & upper part of vagina, uterus, bladder and rectum for any anomalies.
Pap smear: Where doctor will collect cells from the surface of the cervix and vagina and view them under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal.
Biopsy: If Pap smear shows abnormality, a biopsy of the cervical and vaginal tissues may be done. If there is a visible lesion in the vagina, punch biopsy will be performed.
Staging evaluation: Doctor might suggest imaging like CT scan, MRI scan, PET-CT scan to check the precise location and stage to delineate proper treatment plan for you of the cancer and if the cancer has spread. Depending on the results, further tests and surgery and adjuvant treatment will be suggested by the doctor

Vaginal Cancer Stages

After your doctor diagnoses vaginal cancer, they’ll do imaging tests and other exams to find out whether it’s spread to other parts of your body. This helps them decide the stage the cancer and how to treat it.

Stage I

The cancer is only in your vaginal wall.

Stage II

It has spread to the tissue around your vagina.

Stage IIII

Cancer is in the wall of your pelvis.

Stage IV

The cancer has reached the lining of your bladder, the lining of your rectum.

Stage IVB

It has spread to farther parts of your body like your lungs or bones.

Treatments for Vaginal cancer

At Sakhi Oncology, Dr. Monika will offer you’re the best treatment option based on the stage of the cancer and tumor grade. She will also consider your general health and counsel you and your family in detail until you feel confident in your decision.

Surgery

Wide local excision: removal of the cancer and some of the normal tissue around the cancer.
Laser surgery: uses a laser beam knife to make bloodless cuts in tissue or to remove a tumor.
Total /partial Vaginectomy: removal of all or part of the vagina.
Pelvic exenteration: removal of the lower colon, rectum and bladder, cervix, vagina and ovaries and nearby lymph nodes.

Other Therapy

Radiation Therapy: It uses high-energy rays to kills any remaining cancer cells in the treated area. Doctors can use external radiation therapy, which is usually given on an outpatient basis through a large external machine, or give brachytherapy, where very small tubes containing a radioactive substance are inserted through the vagina and left in place for a few days and later removed. The patient stays in the hospital during this treatment.
Chemotherapy: This uses medication to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. The patient might take the medication by mouth or get it injected into a vein (intravenous). Topical chemotherapy (chemo in lotion or cream form) for squamous cell vaginal cancer might be given.

Dr. Monika Pansari

Gynaecologic Cancer Surgeon

Dr. Monika Pansari

Vaginal Cancer Surgeon in Bangalore
"Being diagnosed with Vaginal Cancer can be challenging. Lots of thoughts come to mind. Do Not Worry.
I , Your Sakhi - Your Friend, am available to guide you & support you in this fight against cancer and Together We Will Win"
I am on a mission to help Women Cancer Patients and thats why I founded Sakhi Oncology.
Do not hesitate to reach me or call me.

To know more, get in touch with a specialist immediately.

Why choose Sakhi Oncology?

Founded by highly experienced female cancer surgeon
Expertise in diagnosing and treating hereditary, rare, or complex cancer cases
Compassionate and experienced team of cancer experts
Latest treatment methods
Personalized Patient care and treatment
High patient satisfaction rate
Counselling & Patient Support Group

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2,000+
Number of Surgeries
15+
Years of Experience
5,000+
Happy Patients

Book Appointments at an Area Near You

Dr. Monika Pansari conducts consultation at Bannerghatta Road and Koramangla as listed below.
Note: Dr Monika Pansari will be available for consulting at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore from 15 Jan 2024. She will no longer be available at Gleneagles Global Hospital.

Fortis Hospitals

154/9, Bannerghatta Rd, opposite IIM-B, Sahyadri Layout, Panduranga Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
Mon - Sat   : 1 pm to 4 pm
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Acura Speciality Hospital

No. 105, 5th Block, 17th C Main Road, KHB Colony , Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095
Mon - Sat   : 5 pm to 7 pm
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Our Happy Patient

Testimonials
Dr Monika is awesome!! Not only is she an excellent surgeon but most importantly to us as patient and caregiver, she has been warm, empathetic, and very supportive. She has always made time to answer our questions and been encouraging throughout my wife's cancer journey. We are very grateful to her.
Ajay Nangalia
My mom was suffering with endometric carcinoma. Dr Monica guided us with a right treatment and operated my moms surgery successfully. She was available to answer our queries after the surgey as well. She was sweet and helped us curing the disease. Really happy with the service.
Neelufar N.S

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Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to protect you is to get yourself vaccinated to prevent HPV-related infection. You can do some lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk:

  • Don’t have sex with more than one partner or with someone who has more than one partner.
  • Use condoms during sex.
  • Get regular Pap test and pelvic exams.
  • Stop smoking and if you don’t, then don’t start.

There is no clear cause of vaginal cancer but most are linked with HPV (Human Papillomvirus) infection. This is very common sexually-transmitted disease. Also, you are more likely to get vaginal cancer if you’re:

  • 60 years or older
  • Smoke or drink alcohol
  • Have HIV
  • Have cervical cancer or precancerous lesions
  • Have vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

At Sakhi oncology, we will create the most suitable treatment plan based on:

  • The type and stage of the cancer
  • Where the cancer is in the vagina
  • The chance that a type of treatment will cure the cancer or help in some way
  • Your age
  • Any other health problems that you have
  • Your views about the treatment and the associated side effects

The side effects of vaginal cancer treatment vary with the intensity of treatment modality used to cure the stage of cancer. In women, who present in the late stage, there might be necessity to remove all the reproductive organs, which can affect a woman physically and emotionally. Dr. Monika will consult you regarding the best possible solution after evaluating all the options. Women undergoing radiation treatment may experience skin changes, fatigue, loose stools, vaginal scarring, pain and dryness. Chemo can make you feel nauseous and cause hair fall.
Most side effects wane off after treatment ends, very few last longer.

Disclaimer Statement

This website is built with intention of providing basic details about the various diseases. The contents of the website is not meant to replace an in-person consultation. Please follow the advise of your doctor via in-person consultation. This website will not assume any legal responsibility for the patient’s medical condition.
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