Vaginal cancer occurs most often in the upper third of the vagina (51%), 30% are found in the lower third, and 19% in the middle third.
Vaginal cancer can present as an elevated lesion growing out from the epithelial surface or an ulcer-like, shallow depression.
When vaginal cancer does cause symptoms, they may include: Enlarged pelvic lymph nodes can sometimes be palpated.
Imaging without indications is discouraged because it is unlikely to detect a recurrence or improve survival, and because it has its own costs and side effects.
The clinical staging of the most common form of primary vaginal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, is outlined below.
[21] Historically, the combination of external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has been the most common treatment for vaginal cancer.
Advanced vaginal cancer only has a 5-year survival rates of 52.2%, 42.5% and 20.5% for patients with stage II, III and IVa disease.
These utilize concurrent carboplatin plus paclitaxel, EBRT and high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT).