Treating Vaginal Cancer

If you¡¯ve been diagnosed with vaginal cancer, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. It¡¯s important to weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.

Who treats vaginal cancer?

Depending on your situation, your cancer care team might include:

  • A gynecologist, who specializes in diseases of the female reproductive system
  • A gynecologic oncologist, who specializes in the treatment of cancers of the female reproductive system
  • A radiation oncologist, who uses radiation to treat cancer
  • A medical oncologist, who uses chemotherapy and other medicines to treat cancer

Many other health professionals might be a part of your care as well, including other doctors, nurses, physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), psychologists, dietitians, social workers, and rehabilitation specialists.

Treatments for vaginal precancers

Some treatments are only used to treat precancers of the vagina, called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN).

Many cases of low-grade VaIN will go away on their own, so some doctors will choose to watch them closely without starting treatment. If the area of VaIN doesn¡¯t go away or gets worse, treatment is usually started. Higher-grade VaIN is not likely to go away on its own, so treatment is usually recommended.

Treatments for vaginal cancer

Types of treatment used for vaginal cancer include:

Common treatment approaches for vaginal cancer

The choice of treatment depends largely on the type and stage of your cancer. Other factors that might be considered include your age, overall health, whether you plan to have children, and your personal preferences.

Making treatment decisions

It¡¯s important to discuss all your treatment options with your cancer care team so you can make the decision that best fits your needs. This includes talking about the goals and possible side effects of each treatment.

Vaginal cancer can affect how your reproductive system works. This might affect your sex life and your ability to have children. These things should also be discussed as you make treatment decisions.

Whether you¡¯re thinking about treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can also get supportive care to help with pain and other symptoms.

Questions to ask before treatment for vaginal cancer

Understanding your diagnosis and choosing a treatment plan

  • What are my treatment options?
  • Which do you recommend and why?
  • How much experience do you have treating vaginal cancer?
  • Are there clinical trials we should consider? How can we find out more about them?
  • What would the goal of treatment be?
  • How soon do I need to start treatment?
  • Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that?
  • What are the chances the cancer comes back with these treatment plans?
  • Will I be able to have children after my treatment?
  • What will we do if the treatment doesn¡¯t work or if the cancer recurs?

What to expect during treatment

  • What should I do to be ready for treatment?
  • How long will treatment last? What will it be like?
  • How will we know if the treatment is working?
  • Will the treatment be given in the hospital, clinic, or at home?
  • Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
  • How might treatment affect my daily activities? Can I still work full time?
  • Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind should I do and how often?

Side effects and long-term effects

  • What are the risks or side effects of this treatment?
  • Which side effects start shortly after treatment and which ones might develop later on?
  • Is there anything I can do to manage or avoid side effects?
  • What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
  • Can I have sex during treatment? Will my sex life change after treatment?
  • How will treatment affect my ability to have children?

Support and resources

  • How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
  • Who can I talk to if I have questions about cost, transportation or housing, insurance coverage, or social support?
  • What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
  • Do you know of any local or online support groups where I can talk to other people who have been through this?

Other things to consider

Seeking a second opinion: If time allows, consider getting a second opinion to feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose.

Clinical trials: Clinical trials study new treatments and might offer access to promising options not widely available. They are also how doctors learn better ways to treat cancer. Ask your doctor about clinical trials you might qualify for.

Integrative (holistic) and alternative methods: You might hear about herbs, diets, acupuncture, massage, or other ways to relieve your symptoms or treat your cancer. Integrative therapies are used with standard care, while alternative ones replace it. Some of these might help with symptoms, but many aren¡¯t proven to work and could even be harmful. Talk with your care team first to make sure anything you¡¯re considering is safe and won¡¯t interfere with treatment.

Social and emotional health during treatment

It¡¯s normal to have some anxiety or other emotions during and after cancer treatment. Feeling worried, depressed, or angry can affect your health. It can get in the way of relationships, work, and other aspects of life.

Vaginal cancer and its treatment can affect how you view yourself and your body. It can also affect how you do certain everyday tasks. These impacts are often long-lasting for some people.

With support from other people, including family, friends, mental health professionals, and other survivors, many people who have gone through cancer can thrive despite the challenges they¡¯ve had to face.

Support through your cancer center

Many cancer centers have special support programs and services to help people with cancer and their families during treatment and for many years after treatment ends. Reach out to your cancer center for help when you need it. This might include services like counseling, social events, or support groups.

Help getting through cancer treatment

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they might be in.

Whether you are thinking about treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms. Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life.

Different types of programs and support services might be helpful, and they can be an important part of your care. This might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help.

The ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society also has programs and services to help you get through treatment, including rides to treatment, lodging, and more. Contact the ACS cancer helpline for more information.

Choosing to stop treatment or choosing no treatment at all

When treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling your cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments. Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.

Choosing not to treat your cancer

Some people might not want to be treated at all, especially if the cancer is advanced. There are many reasons you might decide not to get cancer treatment, but it¡¯s important to talk to your doctors as you make that decision.

Remember that even if you choose not to treat your cancer, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms.

Hospice care

People who have advanced cancer who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are near the end of life.

You and your family are encouraged to talk with your cancer care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other healthcare locations.

Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families.


The treatment information given here is not official policy of the ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor. Your doctor  might have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don't hesitate to ask your cancer care team any questions you  might have about your treatment options.

side by side logos for ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society and ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Society of Clinical Oncology

Developed by the ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Adams TS, Maluleke JC, Cuello MA. Cancer of the vagina: 2025 update. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2025;171 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):48-59.

Beriwal S, Demanes DJ, Erickson B, et al. ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for interstitial brachytherapy for vaginal cancer. Brachytherapy. 2012;11(1):68-75.

Disis ML, Adams SF, Bajpai J, et al. Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) clinical practice guideline on immunotherapy for the treatment of gynecologic cancer. J Immunother Cancer. 2023;11(6):e006624.

Holschneider CH, Berek JS. Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia. UpToDate. 2026. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vaginal-intraepithelial-neoplasia on September 8, 2026.

Karam A, Berek JS, Kidd EA. Vaginal Cancer. UpToDate. 2026. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vaginal-cancer on September 8, 2026.

National Cancer Institute. Vaginal Cancer Treatment (PDQ). Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/vaginal/hp/vaginal-treatment-pdq on September 8, 2026.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Vaginal Cancer Version 2.2026 ¨C December 4, 2025. Accessed at https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/vaginal.pdf on September 8, 2026.

Last Revised: October 23, 2026

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