M.D. Back to Cancer by Type Carcinoma of the vagina is a relatively uncommon disease, affecting only about 2,000 women in the United Stage each year. It accounts for only 1 to 2 percent of all gynecologic malignancies.
Cancer arising in another organ that spreads to the vagina is much more common.
Squamous cell carcinomas, leiomyosarcomas and melanomas generally arise in older women. Adenocarcinomas and rhabdomyosarcomas usually occur during adolescence. The very rare sarcoma botryoides and endodermal sinus tumors most frequently occur in infants. How It Spreads Squamous cell carcinomas that originate in the skin that lines the vagina can remain confined to the lining for some time. Eventually it will invade the vaginal wall.