What is Vaginal cancer?

Vaginal Cancer is a rare type of gynecologic cancer that forms in the vaginal tissue of women. About 2,000 women are affected in the United States each year and there are two primary types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma arises from the thin, flat squamous cells that line the vagina. This is the most common type of vaginal cancer. It is found most often in women aged 60 or older.

Vaginal adenocarcinoma arises from the glandular (secretory) cells in the lining of the vagina that produce some vaginal fluids. Adenocarcinoma is more likely than squamous cell cancer to spread to the lungs and lymph nodes. It is found most often in women aged 30 or younger.