Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancers might be found because of symptoms they cause. They might also be seen on routine pelvic exams or cervical cancer screening tests.

If you have symptoms, see your healthcare team as soon as possible to find the cause and get treatment if needed.

Common symptoms

Vaginal precancers (VaIN) are small and only in the cells lining the vagina. Often vaginal precancers do not cause symptoms.

Vaginal cancer that has only spread within the vaginal wall or to nearby tissues might cause symptoms such as:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding (often after sex)
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• A mass or lump in the vagina that can be felt
• Pain during sex

Advanced vaginal cancer that has spread beyond the vagina might cause symptoms such as:

• Painful or frequent urination
• Constipation
• Pain in the pelvis or low in the belly
• Back pain
• Swelling in the legs

These symptoms are more likely to be caused by something besides cancer, such as an infection. If you have any of these symptoms, see your healthcare provider to find out the cause.