Gynaecological

The cervix sits at the bottom part of the womb (uterus) and joins up to the top of the vagina. Cancer that occurs in the cervix is called cervical cancer and it mainly affects women between the ages of 30 - 45 years.

Cervical cancer originates from abnormal cell changes within the cervix. Sometimes this type of cancer can be caught early from cervical screening tests. Women in the UK have these carried out annually from the age of 25, these tests are also referred to as smear tests. Any abnormal cells that are caught through screening can be treated before they develop into cancerous cells.

Types of cervical cancer

There are various types of cervical cancer, with some being more common than others. These include:

• Squamous cell cancer – this type accounts for 70-80% of cervical cancer cases
• Adenocarcinoma- cancer that starts in the gland cells that produce mucus and accounts for 20% of cervical cancer cases 
• Adenosquamous carcinoma – a very rare type of tumour that consists of both glandular and squamous cancer cells
• Small cell – a very rare type of cervical cancer that occurs on 3% of cases
• Sarcoma –a very rare type that develops in the muscle tissue, blood or fat vessels

Symptoms

Abnormal cells that are not yet cancerous, may not cause any symptoms. However, if these abnormal cells continue to develop into cervical cancer, common symptoms may include: 

• Bleeding from the vagina between periods, after sex, or after the menopause
• Bleeding in between periods or heavier periods than usual

If you experience any of the above symptoms between cervical screening appointments, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment with GP.

Diagnosis

Your GP will discuss your symptoms and give you a thorough physical examination. Further tests to diagnose cervical cancer may include:

• An internal examination
• Blood tests
• Colposcopy: a cervix examination where a sample of cells may be taken
• Cone biopsy: a procedure where a cone shape of tissue is taken from the womb 
• CT, pelvis, MRI, and PET-CT scans

Vaginal cancer is very rare, with fewer than 300 women diagnosed in the UK each year. When referring to vaginal cancer, it concerns areas of the opening of the vagina, up to where the cervix starts.

Types of vaginal cancer

 There are different types of vaginal cancer, but the most common are:

• Squamous cell carcinoma – the most common of vaginal cancers, it occurs in the squamous cells in the lining of the vagina

Rare types of vaginal cancer:

• Adenocarcinoma - develops from cells in the glands of the vagina
• Small cell carcinoma –very rare
• Sarcoma – develops in the muscle tissue, blood or fat vessels
• Melanoma – develops from the skin's pigment-producing cells (only 3% of vaginal cancers are melanomas)
• Lymphoma –lymphoma cells that can spread to the vagina via the bloodstream
• Clear cell cancers

Symptoms

• Bleeding after the menopause (most common symptom)
• Bleeding after sex
• Bleeding in between periods or heavier periods than usual
• Feeling the need to empty the bowel, even after emptying it 
• Blood-stained vaginal discharge
• Bloody or pink and watery vaginal discharge
• Constipation
• Pain when urinating, needing to pee often, or blood in your pee
• Swollen legs
• Pain in the pelvic area
• A lump in the vaginal area

If you experience any of the above potential signs of vaginal cancer, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment with your GP. 

Diagnosis

Your GP will discuss your symptoms and give you a thorough physical examination. Further tests to diagnose vaginal cancer may include:

• A biopsy – where a small sample of cells will be taken
• Blood tests
• Colposcopy- to examine the vagina
• Scans including CT, MRI, PET-CT and ultrasound,
• Chest X-ray (to check if the cancer has spread)