Vaginal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI]-General Information About Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI] - General Information About Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI] Guide

• General Information About Vaginal Cancer
• Stages of Vaginal Cancer
• Recurrent Vaginal Cancer
• Treatment Option Overview
• Treatment Options by Stage
• Treatment Options for Recurrent Vaginal Cancer
• To Learn More About Vaginal Cancer
• Changes to This Summary (07 / 23 / 2014)
• About This PDQ Summary
• Get More Information From NCI

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:

• The stage of the cancer (whether it is in the vagina only or has spread to other areas).
• The size of the tumor.
• The grade of tumor cells (how different they are from normal cells).
• Where the cancer is within the vagina.
• Whether there are signs or symptoms at diagnosis.
• The patient's age and general health.
• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

When found in early stages, vaginal cancer can often be cured.

Treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage and size of the cancer.
• Whether the cancer is close to other organs that may be damaged by treatment.
• Whether the tumor is made up of squamous cells or is an adenocarcinoma.
• Whether the patient has a uterus or has had a hysterectomy.
• Whether the patient has had past radiation treatment to the pelvis.