Primary Vaginal Carcinoma Arising on Cystocele Mimicking Vulvar Cancer

Primary vaginal carcinoma is a rare gynaecological tumour representing 1%-3% of all gynaecologic cancers. Several studies report increased vaginal cancer risk associated with genital prolapse following the occurrence of inflammatory lesions or decubitus ulcers.

We report the rare case of an 82-year-old woman with primary squamous cell carcinoma arising from vaginal wall prolapse. Vaginal carcinoma was suspected during gynaecological examination for vulvar bleeding. A wide local excision was performed and pathologic examination revealed a primary squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina.

Persistent genital prolapse may be at risk for vaginal carcinoma, and cytological and a colposcopic assessments are essential to identify patients who require diagnostic biopsy.