Treatment for 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).
Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)
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.
Treatment options for vaginal cancer
The two main treatments for vaginal cancer are radiotherapy and surgery. You may also have chemotherapy alongside radiotherapy.
Surgery for vaginal cancer
The type of surgery you need depends on the stage of your cancer and where it is in your vagina.
Laser treatment for abnormal cells in the 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 for vaginal cancer
Radiotherapy uses high energy waves similar to x-rays to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy for vaginal cancer
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.
Follow up after vaginal cancer treatment
At first, you usually have follow up appointments every few months to check how you are.