Stages

It is important to know the stage of a cancer in order to plan treatment.

STAGES OF VAGINAL CANCER

Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ)

In stage 0, squamous cell cancer is found in tissue lining the inside of the vagina. Stage 0 cancer is also called carcinoma in situ.

Stage I

In stage I, cancer is found only in the vagina.

Stage II

In stage II, cancer has spread from the vagina to the tissue around the vagina.

Stage III

In stage III, cancer has spread from the vagina to the lymph nodes in the pelvis or groin, or to the pelvis, or both.

Stage IV

Stage IV is divided into stage IVA and stage IVB:

Stage IVA: Cancer may have spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis or groin and has spread to one or both of the following areas:

• The lining of the bladder or rectum.
• Beyond the pelvis.

Stage IVB: Cancer has spread to parts of the body that are not near the vagina, such as the lungs. Cancer may also have spread to the lymph nodes.

Reference:

National Cancer Institute, USA.