Benign vaginal tumors are additional formations of the vaginal tube that develop from the structures of connective tissue, epithelium, and vessels. The course of benign vaginal tumors is often asymptomatic; with an increase in the size of the tumor, it can cause sensations of a foreign body, discomfort during sexual intercourse, violations of defecation and urination. Vaginal tumors are diagnosed during gynecological examination, colposcopy, transvaginal ultrasound. Benign vaginal tumors are subject to surgical removal.
General information
From benign vaginal tumors, clinical gynecology encounters cysts, fibroids, fibroids, lipomas, papillomas, hemangiomas. The origin of benign vaginal tumors is polyethological; a certain role of neuroendocrine regulation disorders, exposure to viruses, recurrent colpitis is assumed in their development. Benign vaginal tumors are more often found in patients aged 20-50 years. The need for surgical tactics in relation to vaginal tumors is dictated by the possibility of their suppuration, necrosis, less often – malignant degeneration.
Benign vaginal tumors: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Fibroma, fibroids, vaginal lipoma
True benign tumors of the vagina include fibroids, fibroids, fibromyomas, lipomas. The growth of benign vaginal tumors is based on the proliferation of connective (fibroma), smooth muscle (fibroids), less often adipose (lipoma) tissue. True tumors are localized under the mucous membrane of the vaginal wall; they may look like a single node with a wide base or a long leg; less often they have the character of multiple nodules.
Clinically, vaginal tumors can manifest themselves as pulling or contact pains, foreign body sensation, discomfort during sexual contact, defecation and urination disorders. Twisting of the leg or hemorrhage in the tissue of the vaginal tumor may be accompanied by necrotizing, inflammation or suppuration. In rare cases, malignancy of benign vaginal tumors is observed.
True vaginal tumors are detected during a gynecological examination. A bimanual examination palpates a tumor associated with the vaginal wall, which has clear boundaries, dense consistency, and limited mobility. When examined in mirrors, a node is found located in the area of the anterior wall, on a wide base or leg under the unchanged vaginal mucosa. The size of true vaginal tumors can reach a chicken egg. During transvaginal ultrasound, a solid structure of vaginal tumors, medium or reduced echogenicity, similar to uterine fibromyoma, is visualized.
With asymptomatic vaginal tumors, dynamic monitoring can be established for them. With a tendency to growth or clinical symptoms, vaginal tumors are removed surgically: they are exfoliated from the submucosal layer within the bed or the leg is cut off. The operation is more often performed by extra-vaginal access; deep-seated vaginal tumors can be removed using abdominal ventriloquism. The morphological form of the vaginal tumor is established in the process of histological examination of the drug.
Condyloma of the vagina
Condyloma are tumors of the integumentary epithelium, having the form of papillary growths on the vaginal mucosa. Papillomas are a manifestation of a common papillomavirus infection. They have exophytic growth, have a thin leg or a wide base. Papillomas can manifest as itching, burning in the vagina, contact bleeding during traumatization, unusual secretions. Papillomatous tumors of the vagina in some cases undergo decay or malignancy.
Diagnosis of papillomas includes cytological smear examination, colposcopy, vaginal tumor biopsy with histological examination, PCR determination of HPV with typing of non-oncogenic and oncogenic strains.
Removal of vaginal papillomas is strictly mandatory and can be performed by medication, liquid nitrogen, laser, electrocoagulation, plasma coagulation, surgical scalpel, radio wave method. After removal of papillomas, immunomodulatory therapy is prescribed.
Vaginal hemangioma
Hemangiomas are vascular tumors of the vagina with a soft consistency. Capillary and cavernous hemangiomas are distinguished by their structure. Having arisen on the vaginal mucosa, hemangiomas can spread to the cervical canal and into the uterine cavity. In some cases, ulceration and necrosis of vascular tumors of the vagina are noted.
Vaginal hemangiomas often manifest themselves as contact bleeding during traumatization. When a vascular tumor of the vagina spreads to the internal genitals, a clinic of hyperpolymenorrhea may occur.
During gynecological examination, the vaginal hemangioma has the appearance of a red, purple or cyanotic spot rising above the mucosa. There is a local swelling of the mucosa, loosening of the integumentary epithelium, swelling of the folds. During colposcopy, attention is drawn to the presence of an extensive network of anastomosing, in some areas – varicose vessels.
Non-progressive, non-cancerous, non-violating ovarian-menstrual cycle vascular tumors of the vagina can be left under observation. With a progressive clinic, vaginal hemangiomas can be removed surgically, by cryotherapy, electrocoagulation, by sclerotherapy.
Prognosis for benign vaginal tumors
Despite the fact that the malignancy of non-removed benign vaginal tumors occurs infrequently, the optimal tactic in relation to them is radical excision within the boundaries of unchanged tissues. Relapses after removal of vaginal tumors are rare.
The presence of a vaginal tumor is an aggravating factor in the course of pregnancy, since it can interfere with normal childbirth, provoke discoordinated labor, bleeding. Pregnancy management in women with a benign vaginal tumor requires dynamic monitoring of the condition of the neoplasm and early selection of the method of delivery.