Objectives The aims of this study were to assess outcomes and define prognostic factors for early-stage vaginal carcinoma.

Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of women with FIGO stages I and II vaginal carcinoma identified from the database of the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer between January 1982 and December 1998.

Results Seventy women were identified. The 5-year survivals for stages I and II carcinomas were 71 and 48%, respectively (P < 0.05). Sixty-one patients (87%) had squamous cell carcinomas with a 5-year survival of 68% versus 22% for adenocarcinomas (P < 0.01). Those women with grade 3 tumors had a 5-year survival of 40% versus 69% for grades 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Tumor size and site were not significant prognostic factors. Patients treated by surgery alone or with combined surgery and radiotherapy had a significantly improved survival compared to the radiation alone group (P < 0.01). Eighty-five percent of recurrences were locoregional. The median time to relapse was 12 months after initiation of therapy.

Conclusion Tumor morphology, grade, and stage are important prognostic indicators. Measures aimed at improving local control of the disease, including surgery, are necessary.