Living with Vaginal carcinoma
A group of rare tumors of the vagina that mostly affect adults and older adults.
Understanding Vaginal carcinoma
Types include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and others, some linked to HPV and some not. It mainly affects adults and older adults. Symptoms depend on the tumor type and stage.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type and stage. GARD lists these:
- A mass in the vagina
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Bleeding after sex
- Urinary symptoms
- Pelvic pain
- Feeling of an object inside the vagina
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists, gynecologic cancer specialists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and women’s reproductive health specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Foundation for Women's Cancer may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Gynecologic cancer specialists (gynecologic oncologists); Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (pregnancy-related); Women’s reproductive health specialists (obstetricians / gynecologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Foundation for Women's Cancer
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Foundation for Women's Cancer and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet. It notes some types are linked to HPV and others are not.
Also known as: carcinoma of the vagina; carcinoma of vagina; vagina carcinoma; vaginal malignant epithelial tumor
Patient organizations
- Foundation for Women's CancerVaginal carcinoma · United States
- HPV AllianceVaginal carcinoma · United States
- SHARE: Cancer SupportVaginal carcinoma · United States
- American Cancer SocietyGynecological tumors · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Vaginal carcinoma.
Explore research for Vaginal carcinoma
Explore actively recruiting Vaginal carcinoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Vaginal carcinoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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