About Radiation Therapy for Vaginal Squamous Cell Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 70 percent of all vaginal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Vaginal squamous cell cancer mainly affects women over the age of 40, with 50 percent of those cases being in women over the age of 70.

Features

• If you have cervical cancer or pre-cancer, you are also at greater risk for vaginal squamous cell cancer. Treatment is imperative, but you should be fully informed of the risks involved with any form of treatment, including radiation therapy.

Treatment

• According to the ACS, some studies found that radiation therapy for the treatment of cervical cancer may actually increase your chances of vaginal cancer, though no definitive conclusion has been reached. Ironically, radiation therapy is preferred for the treatment of vaginal squamous cell cancer. Chemotherapy and surgery are your other options.

Types

• High-energy rays directed at the affected area are used to destroy cancer cells. With internal radiation therapy, radioactive material is placed inside the vagina and, depending on the containment used, delivers the radiation at a low-dose or high-dose rate. Interstitial radiation is delivered to the affected area by way of injections.

Risk Factors

• While radiation is a recommended and effective form of treatment in killing cancer cells, you also run the risk of the radiation killing healthy cells as well. Other side effects include redness or changes in skin color, tenderness, development of scar tissue and infection.

After Radiation Therapy

• After your radiation therapy for vaginal squamous cell cancer, it is important to keep the affected area clean and protected.