ABSTRACT
Invasive vaginal cancer is rare. In 2003, the overall rate for invasive squamous tumours of the vagina was about 0.7 per 100 000 women, the rate being highest in women over the age of 65 (3.9 per 100 000). It comprises 1-2 per cent of all gynaecological malignancies, only 178 women developing this cancer in England and Wales in 2003.1 However, like the cervix, the vagina has a range of pre-malignant lesions, many of which may be previously unrecognized extensions of cervical abnormalities. Coincident with the rise in prevalence of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) is an increase in the frequency with which vaginal intra-epithelial neoplasia (VAIN) is seen.
