Vaginal disease

BENIGN AND MALIGNANT DISEASE OF THE VAGINA
Learning objectives
1. To understand and be able to describe the clinically oriented anatomy of the female lower genital tract (specifically the vagina in this lecture)
2. To recognize the most important benign pathologies
3. To clarify the aetiology and risk factors for vaginal cancer
4. Diagnosis of vaginal cancer
5. Principles of management of both benign and malignant vaginal pathologies
The vagina is a fibromuscular canal lined with stratified squamous epithelium that leads from the uterus to the vulva
Many of the disorders that affect the vagina are discussed in your lectures like congenital abnormalities; infections; atrophic changes of menopause; and also the prolapse.
Vaginal atrophy
This is seen following the menopause, prior to puberty and during lactation. Examination shows loss of rugal folds and prominent subepithelial vessels, sometimes with adjacent ecchymoses

Fistula
A fistula may be due to trauma, carcinoma or Crohn’s disease
Benign tumours
Tumours in the vagina are uncommon but occur within the vaginal wall and include myoma, fibromyoma, neurofibroma, papilloma, myxoma and adenomyoma. Cystic lesions may be found within the vagina, like Gartner’s or Wolffian duct origin.
PREMALIGNANT DISEASE:
Premalignant disease of the vagina (VAIN) which resemble in its aetiology and pathology the CIN