Vaginal cancer

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Overview

Vaginal cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the vagina. The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue.

The vagina is part of the female reproductive system. It's a muscular tube that connects the uterus with the outer genitals. The vagina is sometimes called the birth canal.

Cancer that begins in the vagina is rare. Most cancer that happens in the vagina starts somewhere else and spreads to the vagina.

Vaginal cancer that's diagnosed when it's confined to the vagina has the best chance for a cure. When the cancer spreads beyond the vagina, it's much harder to treat.

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Diagnosis & treatment
Oct. 27, 2023
Print
  1. Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. Cancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023.
  2. Hoffman BL, et al. Vaginal cancer. In: Williams Gynecology. 4th ed. McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023.
  3. Karam A, et al. Vaginal cancer. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023.
  4. Vaginal cancer treatment (PDQ) – patient version. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/vaginal/patient/vaginal-treatment-pdq. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023.
  5. Helm CW. Vaginectomy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023.
  6. Palliative care. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1454. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023.

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Vaginal cancer