Updates in the treatment of vaginal cancer

Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2022 Mar;32(3):344-351. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2021-002517.

Abstract

Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer. A lot of the data used in the treatment of this cancer are extrapolated from cervical cancer data. Radiation therapy plays a significant role in the treatment of vaginal cancer. The advances in radiation therapy in both external beam and brachytherapy have improved local control, survival, and toxicity. Brachytherapy plays an important role in treating vaginal cancer, but treatment should be individualized to each tumor. Imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging, plays an essential role in the management of patients with vaginal cancer, from diagnosis to staging to treatment management to surveillance.

Keywords: vagina; vaginal fistula; vulvar and vaginal cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy* / methods
  • Carcinoma in Situ*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Vagina / pathology
  • Vaginal Neoplasms* / radiotherapy