Vaginal cancer
What is vaginal cancer?
Vaginal cancer starts in the cells of the vagina. The most common type of vaginal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma.
Risks for vaginal cancer
Risks for vaginal cancer include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, exposure to diethystilbestrol (DES) and a history of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL).
Finding vaginal cancer early
The best way to find vaginal cancer early is to recognize symptoms and have a personal plan for testing if you have a higher risk.
Symptoms of vaginal cancer
Symptoms of vaginal cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge and painful sexual intercourse. Learn about the symptoms of vaginal cancer.
Diagnosis of vaginal cancer
Tests to diagnose vaginal cancer, such as colposcopy, are done when symptoms or a test or exam suggests a problem. Learn about diagnosing vaginal cancer.
Grading vaginal cancer
Grading is a way of classifying vaginal cancer cells based on their appearance and behaviour when viewed under a microscope. To find out the grade of a tumour, the biopsy sample is examined under a microscope. A grade is given based on how the cancer cells look and behave compared with normal cells.
Stages of vaginal cancer
Staging is a way of describing or classifying a cancer based on the extent of cancer in the body. The most common staging system for vaginal cancer is the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) system. The TNM categories, which correspond to FIGO, may also be used.
If vaginal cancer spreads
Cancer cells have the potential to spread from the vagina to other parts of the body where they can grow into new tumours. This process is called metastasis.
Prognosis and survival for vaginal cancer
Women with vaginal cancer may have questions about their prognosis and survival. Prognosis and survival depend on many factors. Only a doctor familiar with a person’s medical history, type of cancer, stage, characteristics of the cancer, treatments chosen and response to treatment can put all of this information together with survival statistics to arrive at a prognosis.
Treatments for vaginal cancer
Vaginal cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Supportive care for vaginal cancer
Supportive care helps women meet the physical, practical, emotional and spiritual challenges of vaginal cancer. It is an important part of cancer care. There are many programs and services available to help meet the needs and improve the quality of life of people living with cancer and their loved ones, especially after treatment has ended.
Vaginal cancer statistics
Cancer statistics tell us how many people in Canada are diagnosed with and die from other female genital system cancers in a certain time frame.
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