Vaginal tumors

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Female reproductive anatomy

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Uterus

Vaginal cancer; Cancer - vagina; Tumor - vaginal

Treatment of vaginal cancer depends on the individual woman, the specific type of vaginal cancer, and how widespread the disease is.

Surgery is sometimes used to remove the cancer, but most patients are treated with radiation. If the tumor is actually cervical cancer that has spread to the vagina, then radiation and chemotherapy are both given.

Sarcoma botryoides may be treated with a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

The stress of illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. These support groups can be found by searching the Internet or contacting the American Cancer Society.

The prognosis of vaginal cancer depends largely on the stage of disease and the type of tumor. The overall 5-year survival rate for squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina is about 42%. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients with a vaginal adenocarcinoma is about 78%.

Vaginal cancer may spread to other areas of the body. Other complications include complications of radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you notice bleeding after intercourse or have persistent vaginal bleeding or discharge.

Review Date: 09/11/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.