Vaginal Cancer

Summary

Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer. It is more common in women 60 and older. You are also more likely to get it if you have had a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection or if your mother took diethylstilbestrol (DES) when she was pregnant. Doctors prescribed DES in the 1950’s to prevent miscarriages. You are also at higher risk if you have had abnormal cells in the vagina, cervix, or uterus.

It often doesn’t have early symptoms. However, see your doctor if you notice:

• Bleeding that is not your period
• A vaginal lump
• Pelvic pain

A Pap test can find abnormal cells that may be cancer. Vaginal cancer can often be cured in its early stages. Treatment might include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

National Cancer Institute

Patient Handouts

• After chemotherapy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Pelvic radiation – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Vaginal cancer Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
• Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Find an Ob-Gyn American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
• Organizations that Offer Cancer Support Services National Cancer Institute

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Can Vaginal Cancer Be Prevented? American Cancer Society
• Risk Factors for Vaginal Cancer American Cancer Society

Children

• Childhood Cervical and Vaginal Cancer Treatment National Cancer Institute

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Vaginal Neoplasms National Institutes of Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Colposcopy National Library of Medicine
• Stages of Vaginal Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Tests for Vaginal Cancer American Cancer Society

Reference Desk

• Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute
• Normal Female Reproductive Anatomy National Cancer Institute

Related Issues

• Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure and Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Fertility and Sexual Side Effects in People with Cancer American Cancer Society

Treatments and Therapies

• Drugs Approved for Vaginal Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Gynecologic Cancers: Treatment Types American Society for Radiation Oncology
• Treatment Option Overview (Vaginal Cancer) National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• General Information about Vaginal Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Vaginal Cancer Overview American Society of Clinical Oncology
• What Is Vaginal Cancer? American Cancer Society

Statistics and Research

• Key Statistics for Vaginal Cancer American Cancer Society

Encyclopedia

• Pelvic CT scan Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Vaginal Cancer

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention