Prognosis of vaginal cancer, taking into account its stage, the patient's age, and the particular cancer type
Chemotherapy is one of the current treatment options for vaginal cancer, but the prognosis varies depending on the type of cancer. The most recent SEER data and related research indicate that the overall 5-year survival rate for vaginal cancer is approximately 44.8%.
This aggregate figure likely reflects a mix of histologies, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) being the most common type and generally having a better prognosis. The historical SEER data before 2025 commonly show 5-year survival rates for vaginal SCC around 50%–60%, with early stages having a better prognosis.
However, other types of vaginal cancer have a less favourable outlook. Adenocarcinoma of the vagina generally has a worse prognosis than SCC, but exact updated 5-year survival figures from SEER for 2025 are not presented in the search results. Melanoma of the vagina, a rare and aggressive type, typically has a poor prognosis with 5-year survival rates reported well below 40% in previous literature, though no new SEER-specific figure for 2025 is available here.
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix/neuroendocrine vaginal carcinoma (NECC), while mostly related to the cervix, shows very poor outcomes with 5-year survival rates from 30% to 46% in early-stage cases and even lower for late stages. Some studies cited a 5-year rate of 53.3% in small cohorts, but this data is limited and not SEER specific.
| Vaginal Cancer Type | Approximate 5-Year Survival Rate | Notes | |------------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Squamous Cell Carcinoma | ~50-60% (historical range) | Most common vaginal cancer | | Adenocarcinoma | Lower than SCC | Exact recent data unavailable | | Melanoma | <40% (historical estimates) | Rare, aggressive | | Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (NECC) | 30%-46% early stage | Poor prognosis, limited data | | Overall Vaginal Cancer | 44.8% | From recent SEER-based summary [1] |
For those seeking precise, updated subtype survival rates from SEER 2025, consulting the official SEER database or specialized cancer registries directly would be necessary, as granular data by histology are not fully reported in the search results.
It's worth noting that a 2020 study using data from 2004 to 2014 found the 5-year relative survival rate for vaginal adenocarcinoma to be 59.3%. Additionally, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for vulvar cancer is higher than that for vaginal cancer.
The SEER database tracks survival rates of people with vaginal cancer, and a 2020 study suggests that older age is associated with a worse vaginal cancer prognosis, regardless of the stage of the disease. The 5-year survival rate for regional vaginal cancer is 57%, while the 5-year survival rate for distant vaginal cancer is 26%.
Tumor size also affects the survival rate, with tumors of 4 cm or less having a 71.8% five-year survival rate compared to 45.4% for tumors greater than 4 cm. The 5-year survival rates for different age groups are: 66.6% for 18-49 year olds, 65.5% for 50-69 year olds, 50.0% for 70-79 year olds, and 38.5% for those aged 80 and over.
In the 2020 study, stage 1 vaginal cancer had a 76.4% five-year relative survival rate, whereas stage 4 was only 22.5%. People who had surgery in the study had a 72.1% five-year survival rate compared with 48.9% of those who did not. Individuals who had radiation therapy had a 59.4% five-year survival rate compared to 52.5% in people who did not.
Fewer than 3% of vaginal cancers are carcinomas, with a 5-year relative survival rate of 58.8% in the 2020 study. Vaginal adenocarcinomas start in gland cells and account for around 1 in 10 vaginal cancer cases. Clear cell adenocarcinoma, a type of vaginal adenocarcinoma, is more commonly found in females exposed to diethylstilbestrol when they were in the womb.
Lastly, the 5-year relative survival rate for vaginal squamous cell carcinoma was 63.6% in a study from 2020 that analyzed SEER data from 2004 to 2014. The same study suggests an association between melanoma and a more unfavorable prognosis at all stages of vaginal cancer.
- Science and medical research, such as the 2020 study using data from 2004 to 2014, play a crucial role in understanding the survival rates of different subtypes of vaginal cancer.
- Amongst various medical conditions associated with women's health, the 5-year survival rate for vaginal squamous cell carcinoma is often better compared to some other types, like adenocarcinoma, melanoma, and neuroendocrine carcinoma, which have lower survival rates.
- Health-and-wellness professionals and patients should be aware that the 5-year survival rates for vaginal cancer can vary significantly depending on factors like the type of cancer, tumor size, stage, and age, with older individuals and those diagnosed with distant vaginal cancer typically having a poorer prognosis.
