Hi everyone, I just wanted to say hello & to say how helpful I have found reading all of the previous posts. This week I found out from my VAIN3 removal that the cells underneath the lesion were cancerous. (When they removed the lesion they also did mapping biopsies in other areas of the vagina showing VAIN3 & I previously had a hysterectomy 2.5 years ago for CIN3).
They told me over the phone this week that they found cancerous cells and have said I will need a PET scan and radiotherapy (bracatherapy) but am yet to have a date of meeting with the oncology team to discuss and no referral seemingly yet made to the PET scanning team (I rang & asked if they had a date yet). Obviously I am at the beginning of this chapter (having had recurrent VAIN for the last 2 years) and wondered if anyone can tell me how quickly treatment plans and starting treatment usually is for vaginal cancer? (whilst they have told me they found cancerous cells, I don't know yet what stage/grade its at etc yet).
Many thanks x
Hi BobbiG and welcome to the group
I’m sorry to see you’ve had ongoing issues with VAIN and now a cancer diagnosis. The stage/grade won’t be known yet until all your results are collated, so I hope you don’t have long to wait for your PET scan. I’d chase your consultant up if there has been no referral made yet.
Once the scan results are in, your case will be discussed at an MDT(multidisciplinary team meeting) comprising of the specialists involved in your care. Then you should receive your treatment plan.
There are targets in the NHS for starting cancer treatment, so everyone should receive a diagnosis and start treatment within 62 days. There’s always waiting involved unfortunately in getting the initial results and formulating a plan which can be tough to cope with, but it’s something that we have to live with. It all seems to take a lot of time!
Is the plan to have external beam radiation and brachytherapy (internal radiation)? Sorry, I wasn’t sure from your post if it was only brachytherapy?
I hope you’ll hear more soon and come back and let us know how you get on.
Sarah xx
