Laser Surgery for Vaginal Pre-Cancer
In laser surgery (also called laser ablation), a beam of high-energy light is used to vaporize (dissolve) abnormal tissue. Laser surgery is done in the clinic setting and the person usually is able to go home the same day. Side effects can include vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, and cramping similar to that of a menstrual period.
Laser surgery typically is not a treatment for invasive cancer. For laser surgery to be an option, the doctor must be certain that the worst lesion was tested and it's not invasive cancer. This treatment works well for vaginal pre-cancer (vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia or VAIN), and can even be used for large lesions (areas of abnormal cells).
For more information on the laser surgery procedure, see Lasers in Cancer Treatment.
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Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
National Cancer Institute. Vaginal Cancer Treatment (PDQ?)–Patient Version. April 5, 2023. Accessed at www.cancer.gov/types/vaginal/patient/vaginal-treatment-pdq on May 28, 2024.
Piovano E, Macchi C, Attamante L, et al. CO2 laser vaporization for the treatment of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: effectiveness and predictive factors for recurrence. Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. 2015;36(4):383-388.
Sopracordevole F, Moriconi L, Di Giuseppe J, et al. Laser Excisional Treatment for Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia to Exclude Invasion: What Is the Risk of Complications? J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2017;21(4):311-314.
Last Revised: September 23, 2024
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