Overview By Mayo Clinic Staff Print Vaginal cancer Enlarge image Close Vaginal cancer Vaginal cancer Vaginal cancer begins as a growth of cells in the vagina. The vagina is the muscular tube that connects the uterus with the outer genitals. 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. Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment April 30, 2025 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Living with vaginal cancer? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Gynecologic Cancers support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Gynecologic Cancers Discussions Vulvar Cancer: Anyone else? 187 Replies Mon, Jun 30, 2025 chevron-right What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer? 130 Replies Sun, Jun 29, 2025 chevron-right Is a biopsy of the uterus painful? 20 Replies Sat, Jun 28, 2025 chevron-right See more discussions Show references 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. Hoffman BL, et al. Vaginal cancer. In: Williams Gynecology. 4th ed. McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023. Karam A, et al. Vaginal cancer. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023. Vaginal cancer treatment (PDQ) – patient version. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/vaginal/patient/vaginal-treatment-pdq. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023. Helm CW. Vaginectomy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023. Palliative care. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1454. Accessed Jan. 17, 2023. Related Layers of vaginal tissue Vaginal cancer Associated Procedures Brachytherapy Chemotherapy Colposcopy CT scan Cystoscopy MRI Needle biopsy Palliative care Pap smear Pelvic exam Positron emission tomography scan Radiation therapy X-ray Show more associated procedures Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Assortment Women's Health Products from Mayo Clinic Store Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been ranked among the best Gynecology hospitals in the nation for 2024-2025 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Vaginal cancerSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Mayo Clinic Guide to Better Sleep Listen to Health Matters Podcast Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20167630 Diseases & Conditions Vaginal cancer