Research is underway to find new ways to prevent and treat cancer of the vagina. There are some promising new developments.

Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes: Scientists are learning more about how certain genes called oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes control cell growth and how changes in these genes cause normal vaginal cells to become cancerous. The ultimate goal of this research is gene therapy, that is, being able to replace the damaged genes in cancer cells with normal genes in order to stop the abnormal behavior of these cells. For example, scientists have learned that there is an abnormality of chromosome 3 in many vaginal cancers. Better understanding of how this may play a role in the development of the cancer might lead to better treatment.

HPV vaccines: The major breakthrough in the last few years is the development of vaccines to prevent infection with the cancer-causing types of HPV. One has recently been approved and others are being developed.

Radiation therapy: Studies are underway to determine the best way to combine external beam therapy and brachytherapy to treat the cancer and limit damage to normal tissue.

Reconstructive surgery: Surgeons are developing new operations for repairing the vagina after radical surgery.

Chemotherapy: Doctors have found that vaginal cancer does respond to certain types of chemotherapy. Clinical trials will be needed to find out if combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy is better than radiation therapy alone.

Revised: 07/21/2006