Nonsquamous cancer of the vagina

This report retrospectively analyzes 48 cases of primary vaginal cancer treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Naval Hospital, Bethesda, from 1962 through 1983. There was an unusually high number of uncommon histologic types. Nine patients had an adenocarcinoma, 5 had a sarcoma, 3 had a melanoma, 2 had an adenosquamous carcinoma, 1 had a lymphoma, and 1 had a carcinoid tumor. The remaining 27 patients had a squamous cell carcinoma. This represents a 43% prevalence of nonsquamous lesions. Nonsquamous cancer of the vagina occurred in patients at an earlier age than squamous cell carcinoma. Presenting symptoms, the location of the tumor within the vagina, and survival rates were similar for both groups. The clinical characteristics and treatment of the patients with nonsquamous tumors are discussed.