Patient education: Vaginal cancer (The Basics)

What is vaginal cancer? — 

This is when normal cells in the vagina change into abnormal cells and grow out of control (figure 1). There are different types of vaginal cancer, depending on the cells involved.

This article discusses cancer that starts in the vagina. But it is also possible for cancer to start in another part of the body and then spread to the vagina.

What are the symptoms of vaginal cancer? — 

Some people have no symptoms. They find out they have vaginal cancer when their doctor or nurse does a pelvic exam for another reason. For example, this might happen during a routine test to check for cancer of the cervix.

When vaginal cancer does cause symptoms, the most common is abnormal bleeding from the vagina. The bleeding usually happens after sex or in people who have already gone through menopause (when monthly periods stop).

Other symptoms of vaginal cancer can include:

●Watery, bloody, or bad-smelling fluid coming out the vagina

●Pain when urinating, blood in the urine, or feeling the need to urinate often

●Trouble having bowel movements, black-colored bowel movements, or feeling the need to have a bowel movement when the bowels are empty

All these symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not vaginal cancer. But if you have these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse.

Is there a test for vaginal cancer? — 

Yes. To check for vaginal cancer, your doctor or nurse will do a pelvic exam. They might use a magnifying lens called a "colposcope" to see the vagina more clearly.

During the exam, they will do a test called a biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of tissue from the area that looks like cancer. Then, another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope.

What is cancer staging? — 

This is a way to find out if your cancer has spread, and if so, how far.

More tests, such as X-rays, might also be done as part of this staging process.

How is vaginal cancer treated? — 

The right treatment for you depends a lot on the stage of your cancer, how big the cancer is, and where it is in your vagina. Your treatment also depends on your age and other medical problems. If you have not yet gone through menopause, treatment also depends on whether you might want to get pregnant in the future.

Treatment for vaginal cancer includes 1 or more of these:

●Surgery – Vaginal cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, and upper part of the vagina. This is called a "radical hysterectomy" (figure 2).

●Radiation therapy – This kills cancer cells. Sometimes, the radiation comes from a machine that is outside the body. Other times, the radiation comes from tiny seeds or capsules put in the body, near the cancer.

●Chemotherapy – These are medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.

What happens after treatment? — 

You will be checked regularly to see if the cancer comes back. Follow-up tests usually include pelvic exams and tests (similar to Pap tests) to check the cells in your vagina for cancer.

You should also watch for the symptoms listed above. Having those symptoms could mean your vaginal cancer has come back. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any symptoms.

What happens if my vaginal cancer comes back or spreads? — 

You might have more surgery or chemotherapy.

What if I want to get pregnant in the future? — 

If you have not yet gone through menopause and want to get pregnant in the future, talk with your doctor before starting treatment. Some people can still get pregnant after being treated for vaginal cancer. But it is not possible to get pregnant after some types of treatment, such as a hysterectomy or some types of radiation and chemotherapy.

What else should I do? — 

Follow all your doctor's instructions about visits and tests. It's also important to talk to your doctor about any side effects or problems you have during treatment.

Getting treated for vaginal cancer involves making many choices, such as what treatment to have. Always tell your doctors and nurses how you feel about a treatment.

Any time you are offered a treatment, ask:

●What are the benefits of this treatment? Is it likely to help me live longer? Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?

●What are the downsides of this treatment?

●Are there other options besides this treatment?

●What happens if I do not have this treatment?

More on this topic

Patient education: Pelvic exam (The Basics)
Patient education: Colposcopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaginal discharge (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Hysterectomy (The Basics)
Patient education: Preserving fertility after cancer treatment in women (The Basics)
Patient education: Menopause (The Basics)

Patient education: Colposcopy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Abnormal uterine bleeding (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaginal discharge in adult women (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaginal hysterectomy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Abdominal hysterectomy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Menopause (Beyond the Basics)