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Vaginal cancer statistics

Explore statistics on vaginal cancer, including the number of new cases, deaths, survival rates, and overall prevalence.

123  Estimated number of new cases of vaginal cancer diagnosed in 2022
0.17% Estimated % of all new female cancer cases diagnosed in 2022
30 Estimated number of deaths from vaginal cancer in 2022
0.14% Estimated % of all female deaths from cancer in 2022
56% Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2014–2018)
286 Females living with vaginal cancer at the end of 2017 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2013 to 2017)

The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Vaginal cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C52 (Malignant neoplasm of vagina).

New cases

In 2018, there were 99 new cases of vaginal cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that 123 new cases of vaginal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 1,378 (or 0.07%) risk of being diagnosed with vaginal cancer by the age of 85.

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among females, 2022
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among females, 2022

Notes 

In 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 0.6 cases per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 0.7 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for vaginal cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for vaginal cancer, 1982 to 2018
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for vaginal cancer, 1982 to 2018

Notes: 

The number of new cases of vaginal cancer diagnosed increased from 39 in 1982 to 99 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate remained the same from 0.6 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 0.6 cases per 100,000 females in 2018.

Deaths 

In 2020, there were 29 deaths from vaginal cancer in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 30 deaths. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 6,003 (or 0.02%) risk of dying from vaginal cancer by the age of 85.

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among females, 2022
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among females, 2022

Notes 

In 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 0.2 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 0.2 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for vaginal cancer is expected to increase with age. highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for vaginal cancer, 1982 to 2020
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for vaginal cancer, 1982 to 2020

Notes: 

The number of deaths from vaginal cancer increased from 21 in 1982 to 29 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate remained similar from 0.3 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 to 0.2 deaths per 100,000 females in 2020. 

Survival 

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with vaginal cancer had a 56% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for vaginal cancer improved from 52% to 56%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for vaginal cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for vaginal cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex

Notes: 

Prevalence 

At the end of 2017, there were 97 people living who had been diagnosed with vaginal cancer that year, 286 people living who had been diagnosed with vaginal cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 697 people living who had been diagnosed with vaginal cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

For more information, see Vaginal cancer on the NCCI website  

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes.  The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.

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