Types of vaginal cancer
Melanoma starts in cells called melanocytes. These are pigment producing cells found mostly in the skin.
Most melanomas develop in parts of the body exposed to the sun. But you can get them anywhere, including body organs, because there are melanocytes in these areas too.
It’s not clear why melanomas can form in parts of the body that are not exposed to the sun.
Vaginal melanoma is rare. Only about 3 out of 100 vaginal cancers (about 3%) are melanoma. The average age of diagnosis with this type of cancer is 50 years or older.
It is important that you see your GP if you have any symptoms or are worried about any abnormal areas. It may be nothing, but in many situations, the earlier a cancer is diagnosed the better the outcome is.
Symptoms include:
vaginal bleeding in between periods or after the menopause
bleeding after sex
vaginal discharge that smells or is blood stained
pain during sex
a lump or growth in the vagina
a vaginal itch that won't go away
Many people don’t have symptoms. Your doctor or nurse may find vaginal melanoma during a routine cervical screening test or vaginal examination.
You have some tests to diagnose vaginal melanoma. These may include:
a biopsy of the abnormal area
blood tests
an MRI scan
a CT scan
ultrasound scan of the in the groin - these are the nodes nearest to the vagina
Find out more about these tests
Staging is a way of describing the size of a cancer and how far it has grown.
There are different ways of staging vaginal cancer. Most doctors use the system developed by the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). They might also use the TNM system. TNM stands for Tumour, Node, Metastases (TNM).
The treatment you have depends on the size of the cancer, and whether it has spread (the stage). Doctors will also consider your general health.
A team of doctors and other professionals discuss the best treatment and care with you. They are called a multidisciplinary team (MDT). The team includes melanoma and gynaecological cancer specialists and cancer nurses.
Treatments for vaginal melanoma include:
surgery
radiotherapy
chemotherapy
immunotherapy
targeted drugs
You may have treatment as part of a clinical trial.
Find out more about treatment for vaginal cancer
You have regular check ups once you finish treatment. Your doctor will examine you and ask about your general health. This is your chance to ask questions and to tell your doctor if anything is worrying you.
How often you have check ups depends on your individual situation.
There may be fewer clinical trials for rare types of cancer than for more common types.
It is hard to organise and run trials for rare cancers. Getting enough patients is critical to the success of a trial. The results won't be strong enough to prove that one type of treatment is better than another if the trial is too small.
Find out more about how to find a clinical trial
Coping with a diagnosis of a rare cancer can be especially difficult, both practically and emotionally. Being well informed about your cancer and its treatment can make it easier to make decisions and cope with what happens.
Read more about living with and coping with vaginal cancer
Talking to other people who have the same thing can also help.
Our discussion forum Cancer Chat is a place for anyone affected by cancer. You can share experiences, stories and information with other people who know what you are going through.
The Melanoma Focus Helpline is a new confidential service for anyone in the UK who has a question about any aspect of melanoma.
Last reviewed: 07 Mar 2024
Next review due: 08 Mar 2027
Your treatment depends on a number of factors including the type and stage of cancer and where the cancer is in your vagina.
The stage of a cancer tells you about its size and whether it has spread. It helps your doctor decide which treatment you need.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They will examine you and might refer you for tests or to a specialist.
Coping with vaginal cancer can be difficult. Help and support are available. There are things you can do and people to help you.
The type of vaginal cancer you have depends on what type of cell it started in. Squamous cell is the most common type of vaginal cancer.
Vaginal cancer is very rare. It starts in the vagina, which is the passage that leads from the neck of the womb (cervix) to the vulva. Vaginal cancer is more common in older women.
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