Survival statistics for vaginal cancer

Survival statistics for vaginal cancer are very general estimates and must be interpreted very carefully. Because these statistics are based on the experience of groups of people, they cannot be used to predict a particular person’s chances of survival.

There are many different ways to measure and report cancer survival statistics. Your doctor can explain the statistics for vaginal cancer and what they mean to you.

Net survival

Net survival represents the probability of surviving cancer in the absence of other causes of death. It is used to give an estimate of the percentage of people who will survive their cancer.

In Canada, 5-year net survival statistics for vaginal cancer are included in a group called other female genital organ cancers, which includes similar cancers that are grouped and reported together. This statistic does not necessarily reflect the actual survival for the individual cancers within the group.

The 5-year net survival rate for other female genital organ cancers is 59%. This means that about 59% of women diagnosed with other female genital organ cancer will survive at least 5 years.

Survival by stage and tumour type

Survival varies with each stage and particular type of vaginal cancer. Generally, the earlier vaginal cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.

Survival by stage of vaginal cancer is reported as 5-year relative survival. Relative survival looks at how likely people with cancer are to survive after their diagnosis compared to people in the general population who do not have cancer, but who share similar characteristics (such as age and sex).

There are no specific Canadian statistics available for the different stages and types of vaginal cancer. The following information comes from a variety of sources. It may include statistics from other countries that are likely to have similar outcomes as in Canada.

Other female genital system cancer survival

Stage

5-year relative survival

1

84%

2

75%

3 and 4

57%

Vaginal cancer survival by tumour type

Tumour type

5-year relative survival

Squamous cell carcinoma

54%

Adenocarcinoma

60%

Melanoma

13%

All types of vaginal cancer combined

50%

Questions about survival

Talk to your doctor about your prognosis. A prognosis depends on many factors, including:

  • your health history
  • the type of cancer
  • the stage
  • certain characteristics of the cancer
  • the treatments chosen
  • how the cancer responds to treatment

Only a doctor familiar with these factors can put all of this information together with survival statistics to arrive at a prognosis.

Expert review and references

  • American Cancer Society. Vaginal Cancer. 2014: https://www.cancer.org/.
  • Klopp AH, Eifel PJ, Berek JS, Konstantinopoulos PA . Cancer of the cervix, vagina and vulva. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 72:1013-1047.
  • Levine DA, Dizon DS, Yashar CM, Barakat RR, Berchuch A, Markman M, Randall ME. Handbook for Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2015.
  • Statistics Canada. Table: 13-10-0158-01: Age-specific five-year net survival estimates for primary sites of cancer, by sex, three years combined. 2018: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/type/data?subject_levels=13%2C1302%2C130203&HPA=1.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

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