Vaginal cancer
Your treatment depends on a number of factors including the type and stage of cancer and where the cancer is in your vagina. Treatments include radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. You might have chemotherapy and radiotherapy together (chemoradiotherapy).
There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your health when preparing for treatment. This is called prehabilitation or prehab.
The two main treatments for vaginal cancer are radiotherapy and surgery. You may also have chemotherapy alongside radiotherapy.
The type of surgery you need depends on the stage of your cancer and where it is in your vagina.
You may have laser treatment to treat abnormal cells in the lining of the vagina. These abnormal cells are called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN).
Radiotherapy uses high energy waves similar to x-rays to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer. You might have it with radiotherapy for vaginal cancer, or as your main treatment if your cancer is advanced.
Last reviewed: 28 Apr 2025
Next review due: 28 Apr 2028

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