Cancer Health Center

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Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:

• The stage of the cancer (whether it is in the vagina only or has spread to other areas).
• The size of the tumor.
• The grade of tumor cells (how different they are from normal cells).
• Where the cancer is within the vagina.
• Whether there are symptoms.
• The patient's age and general health.
• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

Treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage, size, and location of the cancer.
• Whether the tumor cells are squamous cell or adenocarcinoma.
• Whether the patient has a uterus or has had a hysterectomy.
• Whether the patient has had past radiation treatment to the pelvis.