Vagina Cancer Misdiagnosis - Medical Negligence Solicitors
Cancer of the vagina is rare with less than 100 women a year diagnosed in Australia. Symptoms of vaginal cancer include a blood-stained discharge, bleeding after sexual intercourse and pain. There may also be blood in the urine, difficulties passing urine, frequent urination or pain in the rectum. Because doctors are not usually familiar with this condition, the possibility for misdiagnosis is high which may amount to medical negligence. There are two types of cancer that primarily affect women at both ends of the age spectrum although women of any age can suffer from either varient :-
Squamous Cell - Common vaginal cancer which primarily affects women between the ages of 50 and 70.
Adenocarcinoma - Less common vaginal cancer that primarily affects women under the age of 20.
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Diagnosis
Diagnosis starts with a visit to the local doctor who may be unfamiliar with cancer of the vagina resulting in misdiagnosis as some other less serious condition. The doctor should arrange referral to a consultand or cancer specialist in a hospital for detailed testing which may include internal vaginal examination, cervical smear, colposcopy or biopsy which involves a small sample of tissue being taken from any abnormal areas for examination under a microscope.