Advances In Vaginal Cancer and Malignant Melanoma
The lining tissue of the vagina is called the mucosa. It’s similar to ordinary skin. Many conditions that affect the skin can affect the vagina. That includes malignant melanoma, a rare skin cancer, which can occur in the vagina. It can also occur on the vulva. Melanoma is linked with excess exposure to the sun. Obviously, vaginal and vulvar melanoma must have a different trigger. But doctors and scientists haven’t yet found the cause.
Study About Age of Onset
Skin melanomas have been increasing in recent years. But, vaginal and vulvar cancer rates have stayed the same. A recent study from Germany reviewed the occurrence of melanoma in the vagina and vulva. Results showed that it’s rare for women to have this cancer before age 44. But after that age, there is a steady increase.
The risk of developing melanoma in the vagina or vulva seems to be higher for American women than for German women.
Study About Treatment Outcomes
A U.S. study tracked 158 women with vaginal melanoma. The study found the women had the following treatments.
- 125 had surgery as part of their main treatment.
- 64 had radiation.
- 40 had surgery and radiation.
The median survival for women who had surgery was 28 months. That’s compared with 8 months for those who did not. Survival is not significantly associated with any of the following factors:
- Age
- Decade of diagnosis
- Use of radiation
