Many people ask, “Is vaginal cancer curable?" it is often curable, especially when detected early, with treatment success depending primarily on the stage of the cancer.
Mumbai is one of the preferred destinations for advanced vaginal cancer treatment in India, as healthcare centres like the Asian Heart Institute offer world-class hospitals backed by expert gynaecologic oncologists and cutting-edge technology delivering excellent outcomes for patients. Read this blog to know all the treatment options available for vaginal cancer in Mumbai, India.
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What is Vaginal Cancer?
Vaginal cancer is the abnormal growth of cells that starts in the vagina (part of the female reproductive system). The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. It is also known as cancer of the vagina or cancer of the birth canal.Read Also: Best Breast Cancer Hospital in Mumbai, India: Treatment, Cost & Specialists
Different Types of Vaginal Cancer
The following are the types of vaginal cancer that are named after the cells in your vagina where cancer starts:| Type of Vaginal Cancer | Origin in Vagina Cells | Key Details |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | Flat cells lining the vagina | Most common type. It accounts for nearly 9 out of 10 cases |
| Adenocarcinoma | Gland cells | Clear cell adenocarcinoma is a rare subtype linked to prenatal exposure to a drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth. |
| Melanoma | Melanocytes (cells that give color to the vagina) | Extremely rare. |
| Sarcoma | Connective and muscle tissue in the vaginal wall | Extremely rare. |
Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer
Wondering, “What are the early signs of vaginal cancer?” Vaginal cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms. This is why many experts, like those at the Asian Heart Institute, advise every woman to get regular pelvic exams and Pap smears to catch cancer early.Read Also: Liver Cancer Treatment in Mumbai | Causes, Symptoms & Advanced Care
Common Symptoms
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding after intercourse
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Abnormal vaginal discharge (watery, bloody, or foul-smelling)
- Painful intercourse
- Painful urination
- Constipation or black-colored stools
- A noticeable mass in the vagina.
Other Possible Symptoms
- Bowel changes
- Pain or swelling in the legs
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Vaginal Cancer Causes
The exact cause of vaginal cancer is unknown, but it can begin when cells in the vagina develop changes in their DNA. It’s likely that an infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) can increase the risk.Factors that may increase your risk of vaginal cancer include:
- Increasing age.
- Smoking.
- Exposure to miscarriage prevention medicine.
- Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) if the mother took DES during pregnancy.
- Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN).
Stages of Vaginal Cancer
The staging is based on the FIGO/AJCC TNM system:- T (Tumor)
- N (Nodes)
- M (Metastasis)
| Stage | TNM System | What it Means |
| Stage I | T1 N0 M0 | Abnormal cells are limited to the vaginal wall. |
| Stage II | T2 N0 M0 | Cancer has grown through the vaginal wall; however, it has not reached the pelvic wall. |
| Stage III | T3 N1 M0 or T1–T3 N1 M0 | Cancer grows to the pelvic wall, spreads to pelvic or groin lymph nodes, or blocks urine flow. |
| Stage IVA | T4 Any N M0 | Cancer has penetrated the bladder, rectum, or outer pelvis. |
| Stage IVB | Any T Any N M1 | Cancer has spread to farther away organs such as the lungs, liver, or bones. |
Treatment Options for Vaginal Cancer in Mumbai
Your oncology care team, consisting of multidisciplinary professionals, will discuss the detailed treatment options with you. It’s important that you evaluate the risks and benefits of each option carefully and make an informed choice.Read Also: Best Gynaecological Cancer Specialists in Mumbai: Expertise, Experience & Care
The Key Factors that Influence Treatment
- Stage
- Tumor Size and Location
- Histologic Type and Grade
- Overall Health
- Menopausal Status
- Prior Treatments
- Patient Preferences
- Other individual factors
1. Radiation Therapy
High-energy beams to kill the cancer cells and prevent them from dividing.2. Chemotherapy
Doctors give drugs orally or intravenously to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy alone isn’t an effective treatment; that’s why it may be used alongside radiation to increase its effectiveness.3. Surgery
- Wide local excision: Specialists can remove the tumor along with some of the healthy tissue surrounding it.
- Partial vaginectomy: It involves removing parts of the vagina
- Total vaginectomy: It involves removing the entire vagina
4. Targeted Therapy
Targets specific cancer cell features such as proteins/genes (supporting the cancerous growth).5. Immunotherapy
Support the body's immune system to act against abnormal cell growth.6. Supportive Care
Help manage side effects such as fatigue, nausea, and pain. The cancer care team helps improve overall quality of life.Recovery After Advanced Vaginal Cancer Treatment
Recovery after advanced vaginal cancer treatment is a gradual process that involves managing side effects, going for regular follow-up appointments, and adjusting physically and emotionally to life after treatment.Vaginal Cancer Prognosis
The Five-year survival rate in larger series ranges from 64% to 84% for stage I.Cost of Vaginal Cancer Treatment in Mumbai, India
The cost may vary based on the type, stage, and severity of the vaginal cancer; the hospital; the expertise of the cancer care team; advanced treatment; and other individual factors.Here is the general cost breakdown:
- Surgery (Excision, Vaginectomy): ₹2.5 Lakhs – ₹6 Lakhs+ ($3,000 – $7,200+).
- Radiation Therapy (External Beam + Brachytherapy): ₹1.5 Lakhs – ₹3.5 Lakhs ($1,800 – $4,200).
- Chemotherapy (Per Cycle): ₹30,000 – ₹70,000 ($360 – $850). Targeted Therapy (Per Month): ₹1.2 Lakhs – ₹2.5 Lakhs ($1,500 – $3,000).
Conclusion
Dealing with vaginal cancer can be physically and emotionally challenging. However, with accurate diagnosis at an early stage, advanced treatment options backed by skilled surgeons, and comprehensive supportive care available in Mumbai, many patients go on to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.FAQs
Q1: What does vaginal cancer look like?A: Vaginal cancer is generally not visible to the naked eye because the vagina is inside the body. Additionally, it doesn’t always cause symptoms; if they appear, you may experience the following signs that need to be confirmed by your doctor.
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse or menopause.
- Vaginal discharge that’s watery, bloody or foul-smelling
- Pain during intercourse.
- A noticeable mass in your vagina
- Pain while urinating (peeing)
- Constipation or blood in your stool (poop) or urine (pee)
- Feeling the urge to poop when your bowels are empty
- Pelvic pain
A: Here is the 1st stage of vaginal cancer:
| Characteristic | Description |
| Location | The cancer is only in the vagina |
| Spread | It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other body parts |
| Depth | The cancer has grown through the top layer of cells but has not grown out of the vagina into nearby structures |
| TNM staging | Equivalent to T1a or T1b, N0, M0 |
