This information is provided by SSCHRC to help you understand vaginal cancer and its management. It is written in a patient-friendly and medically accurate style.
The vagina is a muscular tube, approximately three to four inches long, connecting the cervix (the lower part of the uterus or womb) to the vulva (the external female genitals).
Vaginal cancer is classified based on the type of cell where the malignancy originates. It is also possible for cancer that began in another part of the body to spread (metastasise) to the vagina. In such instances, the cancer is named after its primary site of origin (e.g., cancer that spread from the cervix to the vagina is still called cervical cancer).
This is the most common form, starting in the lining of the vagina. It often develops slowly, sometimes over many years, and may begin as a pre-cancerous condition called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN). VAIN is frequently found in women with a history of hysterectomy, cervical cancer, or cervical pre-cancer.
This cancer starts in the glandular cells of the vagina and is most often diagnosed in women over 50.
A rare form of vaginal cancer that originates in the pigment-producing cells.
A small number of vaginal cancers are sarcomas, which start within the vaginal wall. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type and usually affects children.
A risk factor increases the chance of developing vaginal cancer. Key risk factors include:
Important Note: If you have risk factors, you should discuss them with your doctor.
Vaginal cancer symptoms can vary from woman to woman, and may include:
Important Note: It is important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, such as infections. You should see a doctor if you notice any of these signs.
The experts at SSCHRC utilise advanced technology and techniques for the accurate diagnosis of vaginal cancer.
If you have symptoms suggestive of vaginal cancer, your doctor will conduct an examination and ask questions about your health, lifestyle (including smoking and drinking habits), and family history.
The only definitive way to diagnose vaginal cancer. A small piece of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope. A colposcope (a magnifying device) may be used to help the doctor see the area clearly for tissue removal.
Used to look for cancer inside the body, help locate tumours, and track response to treatment. Types used for vaginal cancer include:
If you are diagnosed with vaginal cancer, your doctor will determine the stage of the disease. Staging is a way of classifying cancer based on how much disease is in the body and where it has spread. This process helps the doctor plan the best course of treatment.
The staging is most often described using the FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) System, combined with the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) TNM system, classifying the disease into Stages 0 through IV.
At SSCHRC, a team of experienced physicians provides personalised care, ensuring you receive the most advanced treatments while focusing on your quality of life. We treat a large number of women with vaginal cancer, which provides us with a high level of expertise.
Your treatment plan will be customised based on several factors, including:
Treatment may involve a single therapy or a combination of two or more, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy used together.
May be used for early-stage vaginal cancer, sarcomas, or melanomas. Common surgical procedures include:
Drugs used to kill cancer cells, control their growth, or relieve symptoms. It may involve a single drug or a combination of multiple drugs.
Uses powerful, focused beams of energy to destroy cancer cells while minimising harm to healthy tissue. SSCHRC provides advanced radiation treatments, including:
A type of immunotherapy that prevents the immune system from prematurely shutting down its attack on cancer cells.
Drugs designed to interfere with specific molecules that cancer cells rely on to survive, multiply, and spread. This intervention occurs at a cellular level.
A drug applied directly onto the cancer. This is typically not used for invasive vaginal cancer.