Vaginal cancer staging

The stage of vaginal cancer describes:

where it is
how far it has grown from where it started
if it has spread.

Your cancer doctor will tell you the stage of the cancer when they have all your test results. Knowing the stage of the cancer helps your doctors advise you on the best treatment.

Number staging system

Vaginal cancers are usually staged using a number system. You may also see it described as FIGO (The International Federation for Gynaecology and Obstetrics) staging.

A number between 1 and 4 is given to the tumour, depending on:

its growth in the vagina and surrounding tissues
whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs.

Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, which helps protect the body against infection and disease. There are groups of lymph nodes throughout the body. They are linked by fine tubes containing lymph fluid.

Lymph nodes in the abdomen and pelvis

Medical illustration of the female reproductive organs and associated lymphatic drainage pathways. Para-aortic lymph nodes above the uterus and pelvic lymph nodes alongside the uterus, ovaries, and vagina are highlighted. — Image: The image shows a woman’s lower abdomen, pelvis and the top of the legs from the front. A narrow opening is shown between the legs. This leads into a narrow space shown inside the pelvis. This space is called the vagina. Above the vagina the space narrows until both sides almost touch. Then it opens again to form a hollow, pear-shaped organ called the womb. The surfaces of the two sides are highlighted where they narrow between the vagina and the womb. The highlighted area is the cervix. At either side of the upper end of the womb are two small, solid oval shapes. These are the ovaries. They are connected to either side of the womb by narrow tubes called the fallopian tubes. A network of fine lines connecting small, oval shapes is shown. This is the lymphatic system and lymph nodes. This network enters the image just above the tummy button. The lymph nodes at this level are the para-aortic lymph nodes. The network then splits in to two main streams. These streams are shown sitting over each ovary, down each side of the womb and into the area each side of the vagina at the top of the legs. These are the pelvic lymph nodes.

Stage 1 vaginal cancer

stage 1A – The cancer is only in the vagina and is smaller than 2cm.
stage 1B – The cancer is only in the vagina and is larger than 2cm.

Stage 2 vaginal cancer

stage 2A – The cancer has grown through the wall of the vagina and is smaller than 2cm.
stage 2B – The cancer has grown through the wall of the vagina and is larger than 2cm.

Stage 3 vaginal cancer

The cancer has spread to the wall of the pelvis or has spread to nearby lymph nodes, or both.

Stage 4 vaginal cancer

The cancer has spread to other organs. This can be divided into:

stage 4A –The cancer has grown into organs nearby, such as the bladder or the lower bowel (rectum).
stage 4B – The cancer has spread to organs further away in the body, such as the lungs or bones (secondary or metastatic cancer).

Side view of female organs

Related pages

Vaginal cancer

Vaginal cancer grading

Grading compares cancer cells with normal cells under a microscope. It gives an idea of how quickly the cancer may develop. Vaginal cancer can be graded as:

Grade 1 or low-grade - The cancer cells look like normal cells, usually grow slowly and are less likely to spread.
Grade 2 or moderate grade - The cancer cells look more abnormal and may grow more quickly.
Grade 3 or high-grade - The cancer cells look very abnormal and are more likely to grow quickly or spread to other parts of the body.

We understand that waiting to know the stage and grade of your cancer can be a worrying time. We are here if you need someone to talk to. You can:

call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.
chat to our specialists online.

We have information about treatment on our vaginal cancer page.

Cancer Information Development team

Author

Miss Eva Myriokefalitaki

Reviewer

Consultant Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon

The Christie Hospital, Manchester

Dr Alexandra Taylor

Reviewer

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Royal Marsden Hospital, London

Date reviewed

Reviewed: 01 March 2025

|

Next review: 01 March 2028

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