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In this Article

• What is vaginal cancer?
• What are causes and risk factors for vaginal cancer?
• What are symptoms and signs of vaginal cancer?
• What tests are used to diagnose vaginal cancer?
• What is the prognosis for vaginal cancer?
• How is staging determined for vaginal cancer?
• What is the treatment for vaginal cancer?
• Treatment options by stage
• Treatment options for recurrent vaginal cancer
• Where can I find more information about vaginal cancer?
• Find a local Oncologist in your town
• Vaginal Cancer Index

Stage 0 Vaginal Cancer (carcinoma in situ)

Treatment of vaginal squamous cell carcinoma in situ may include the following:

• Wide local excision, with or without a skin graft.



• Partial or total vaginectomy, with or without a skin graft.



• Topical chemotherapy.



• Laser surgery.



• Internal radiation therapy.

Stage I Vaginal Cancer

Treatment of stage I squamous cell vaginal cancer may include the following:

• Internal radiation therapy, with or without external radiation therapy to lymph nodes or large tumors.



• Wide local excision or vaginectomy with vaginal reconstruction. Radiation therapy may be given after the surgery.



• Vaginectomy and lymphadenectomy, with or without vaginal reconstruction. Radiation therapy may be given after the surgery.

Treatment of stage I vaginal adenocarcinoma may include the following:

• Vaginectomy, hysterectomy, and lymphadenectomy. This may be followed by vaginal reconstruction and/or radiation therapy.



• Internal radiation therapy, with or without external radiation therapy to lymph nodes.



• A combination of therapies that may include wide local excision with or without lymphadenectomy and internal radiation therapy.

Stage II Vaginal Cancer

Treatment of stage II vaginal cancer is the same for squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Treatment may include the following:

• Both internal and external radiation therapy to the vagina, with or without external radiation therapy to lymph nodes.



• Vaginectomy or pelvic exenteration, with or without radiation therapy.

Stage III Vaginal Cancer

Treatment of stage III vaginal cancer is the same for squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Treatment may include both internal and external radiation therapy, with or without surgery.

Stage IVA Vaginal Cancer

Treatment of stage IVA vaginal cancer is the same for squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Treatment may include both internal and external radiation therapy, with or without surgery.

Stage IVB Vaginal Cancer

Treatment of stage IVB vaginal cancer is the same for squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Treatment may include the following:

• Radiation therapy as palliative therapy, to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Chemotherapy may also be given.



• A clinical trial of chemotherapy and/or radiosensitizers.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.