Vaginal Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment Options

If you experience any of the following symptoms, consult a doctor immediately:

• Vaginal bleeding unrelated to menstruation

• Pain or difficulty during urination

• Pelvic pain

• Pain during sexual intercourse

It is important to note that vaginal cancer in Israel can also occur in women who have had a hysterectomy.

There are two main types of vaginal tumors:

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) – most common in older women (ages 60–80)

• Adenocarcinoma – more often affects younger women (ages 12–30), particularly those whose mothers were prescribed diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy in the 1940s–1970s

Diagnosis typically begins with a routine gynecological examination. The doctor palpates the vaginal walls for any unusual masses and performs a Pap smear using a brush or wooden spatula to collect epithelial cells from the vagina and cervix. This is a painless and simple procedure.

If abnormalities are found, a biopsy is performed and tissue samples are sent to a lab to test for cancerous cells. Additional tests, such as pelvic ultrasound or chest X-ray, may be needed to check for cancer spread to other organs.

The success of vaginal oncology treatment in Israel depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health.

At Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov), part of the women’s cancer center Israel, there are three primary methods of treating vaginal cancer in Israel:

Surgery

Surgical intervention is the most common method used at all stages of vaginal oncology in Israel.

Options include:

• Laser surgery – used for Stage 0 tumors. A thin laser beam destroys cancerous cells.

• Partial resection – removal of the tumor along with surrounding healthy tissue. Skin grafting may be needed to restore vaginal structure.

• Total vaginectomy – removal of the entire vagina, sometimes along with the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes (radical hysterectomy), and pelvic lymph nodes.

• Pelvic exenteration – used in cases where the tumor spreads beyond reproductive organs, requiring removal of the lower colon or bladder. Reconstructive surgery may be used to create a new vagina using tissue grafts.
  

Radiation Therapy

Radiation uses high doses of energy to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.

It may be:

• External – delivered by a machine positioned outside the body

• Internal (brachytherapy) – radioactive material is inserted directly into the affected area using plastic tubes
  

Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy targets cancer using medications that destroy tumor cells.

It may be:

• Oral, intravenous, or intramuscular

• Systemic – circulating through the bloodstream to reach cells throughout the body

• Intravaginal – directly introduced into the vagina
  

Chemotherapy is often part of a combined treatment plan.

Patients seeking to treat vaginal cancer without waiting or avoid long delays can begin their journey at Ichilov’s women’s cancer center Israel.

To start your vaginal tumor treatment in Israel, submit your medical records to medtour@tlvmc.gov.il or use the request form on the website. Within 24–48 hours, our team will assess your case, issue a treatment recommendation, and provide a preliminary price estimate.

This allows you to treat vaginal cancer without queues, receive personalized care from leading experts in vaginal oncology treatment in Israel, and access one of the country’s most advanced gynecologic oncology services.