Vaginal cancer

Vaginal cancer signs and symptoms

There are often no obvious signs of vaginal cancer, however symptoms may include:

• pain in the pelvic area or rectum

• a lump in the vagina

• blood in the urine or passing urine frequently or during the night, change in urine colour – dark, rusty or brown

• bloody vaginal discharge not related to a menstrual period

• pain during, or bleeding after sexual intercourse.

Causes of vaginal cancer

Some factors that can increase your risk of vaginal cancer include:

• a precancerous condition called vulvar squamous intraepethial lesions (SIL) that often has no symptoms

• human papillomavirus (HPV)

• smoking tobacco

• previous radiation therapy to the pelvis

• previous diagnosis of cervical cancer

• if your mother was prescribed diethylstilbestrol (DES), an artificial form of the female hormone oestrogen during pregnancy (between 1939 and 1971).

Diagnosis of vaginal cancer

After a diagnosis of vaginal cancer

After a diagnosis you may experience a range of emotions such as shock, disbelief, anxiety and confusion. This is normal and there is no right or wrong response to a diagnosis of vaginal cancer.

Talk to your specialist about your treatment options, what potential side effects there are and about any practical concerns such as travelling for treatment and out-of-pocket costs. Take as much time as you can so you can feel comfortable about your decisions.

Treatment for vaginal cancer

Treatment Team

• GP (General Practitioner) -

  looks after your general health and works with your specialists to coordinate treatment.

• Gynaecologist -

  specialises in treating diseases of the female reproductive system.

• Radiation oncologist -

  prescribes and coordinates radiation therapy treatment.

• Medical oncologist -

  prescribes and coordinates the course of chemotherapy.

• Gynaecological oncologist -

  diagnoses and treats cancers of the female reproductive system

• Reconstructive (plastic) surgeon -

  performs any complex reconstructive surgery that restores or repairs the body's appearance and function.

• Cancer care coordinators -

  coordinate your care, liaise with the multidisciplinary team and support you and your family throughout treatment.

• Dietitian -

  recommends an eating plan to follow while you are in treatment and recovery.

• Other allied health professionals -

  such as social workers, pharmacists, and counsellors

Screening for vaginal cancer

There is currently no national screening program for vaginal cancer available in Australia.

Preventing vaginal cancer

There are no known lifestyle measures to prevent vaginal cancer, however not smoking may reduce your risk.

Prognosis for vaginal cancer

Prognosis means the expected outcome of a disease. An individual's prognosis depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as their age and general health at the time of diagnosis.

You may wish to discuss your prognosis and treatment options with your doctor, but it is not possible for any doctor to predict the exact course of your disease. In most cases, the earlier vaginal cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment.

Cancer of the neovagina

Some people choose to have surgery to create a vagina. This is called a neovagina and it may use tissue from the vulva, penis or abdominal wall, or from the bowel. A cancer can develop in a neovagina, but it is exceptionally rare. This is not primary vaginal cancer, but cancer that develops in the tissue used to create the neovagina. If you have a neovagina, talk to your doctors about appropriate follow-up examinations and signs to look out for.