Vaginal Cancer
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Vaginal Cancer
What are the symptoms?
There are often no obvious symptoms of vaginal cancer. The cancer is sometimes found by a routine cervical screening test.
If symptoms do occur, they may include one or more of the following:
- bloody vaginal discharge not related to your menstrual period, which may have an offensive or unusual smell
- pain during sexual intercourse
- bleeding after sexual intercourse
- pain in the pelvic area or rectum
- a lump in the vagina
- bladder problems, such as blood in the urine or passing urine frequently or during the night.
Not everyone with these symptoms has vaginal cancer. Other conditions can also cause these changes, but if you have any symptoms, make an appointment with your GP.
Which health professionals will I see?
Your GP will arrange the first tests to assess your symptoms. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist, such as a gynaecologist or gynaecological oncologist. The specialist will arrange further tests.
If vaginal cancer is diagnosed, the specialist will consider treatment options. Often these will be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care.
To ensure the best outcome, it is recommended that you are treated in a specialist centre for gynaecological cancer. Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for more information and to ask about patient travel assistance that may be available.
| GP | assists with treatment decisions; works in partnership with your specialists in providing ongoing care |
|---|---|
| gynaecologist | specialises in diseases of the female reproductive system; may diagnose vulvar or vaginal cancer and then refer you to a gynaecological oncologist |
| gynaecological oncologist | diagnoses and performs surgery for cancers of the female reproductive system (gynaecological cancers), such as vulvar and vaginal cancers |
| radiation oncologist | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy |
| medical oncologist | treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy |
| reconstructive/plastic surgeon | performs surgery that restores, repairs or reconstructs the appearance and function of the genitals after the cancer is removed |
| nurse | administers drugs and provides care, information and support throughout treatment |
| cancer care coordinator | coordinates your care, liaises with other members of the MDT and supports you and your family throughout treatment; care may also be coordinated by a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) |
| psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor | helps you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment; may also help with emotional issues affecting sexuality |
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues |
| dietitian | recommends an eating plan to follow while you are in treatment and recovery |
| women’s health physiotherapist | treats physical problems associated with treatment for gynaecological cancers, such as bladder and bowel issues, sexual issues and pelvic pain |
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This information is reviewed by
This information was last reviewed October 2020 by the following expert content reviewers: A/Prof Alison Brand, Director, Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Ellen Barlow, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Hospital for Women, NSW; Jane Conroy-Wright, Consumer; Rebecca James, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Suparna Karpe, Clinical Psychologist, Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Dr Pearly Khaw, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Sally McCoull, Consumer; A/Prof Orla McNally, Gynaecological Oncologist and Director, Oncology/Dysplasia, The Royal Women’s Hospital, and Director, Gynaecology Tumour Stream, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, VIC; Haley McNamara, Social Worker and Project Manager, Care at End of Life Project, Queensland Health, QLD; Tamara Wraith, Senior Clinician – Physiotherapy, The Royal Women’s Hospital, VIC.