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, which replaces 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

A vaccine against HPV has recently been shown to reduce the risk of vaginal cancer. Other vaccines 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.

Last Medical Review: 12/30/2008
Last Revised: 05/14/2009