What happens if vaginal cancer is not treated?

Growth may affect the vaginal wall and nearby pelvic structures. Bleeding, discharge, discomfort, pain during sex, or difficulty passing urine may become more troublesome as the area is affected. Later disease can involve lymph nodes or more distant organs. The changes and pace differ between people, depending on the tumour and its location.

Bleeding after sex or bleeding after menopause can have causes other than cancer, but either symptom deserves medical assessment. A clinician may use an examination, imaging, and a biopsy to establish what is happening.

Arrange an appointment with a gynaecology or oncology team promptly if vaginal cancer has been diagnosed or is suspected. Take details of bleeding, pain, discharge, urinary changes, and any previous test results. Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy, or a focused form of radiotherapy called brachytherapy; the plan depends on the tumour and your health.

Seek urgent medical help for heavy or ongoing bleeding, faintness, severe pelvic pain, inability to pass urine, new confusion, or marked weakness. Contact your cancer team promptly if symptoms worsen or you cannot keep fluids down.

Ask where the cancer is located, whether it has spread, which tests are needed, how quickly treatment should begin, and how each option may affect bleeding, sexual health, bladder function, and bowel function.