Treatment for vaginal cancer

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also 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.

At first, you usually have follow up appointments every few months to check how you are.