Vulvar cancer is a relatively rare gynaecological malignancy, the treatment of which is associated with significant patient morbidity. With reports that the incidence of vulvar cancer is increasing, there is a rising need for improved preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Recent advances within genetics and epigenetics present possible approaches for addressing this need, by contributing to the clarification of the aetiology of this disease, identifying screening and drug targets and introducing the potential for personalised treatments. This paper reviews the genetic and epigenetic research undertaken to date within vulvar cancer, evaluates its potential for clinical application and identifies directions for future research. © 2014 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	epigenetics, genetics, human papillomavirus, vulvar cancer, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Oncology and Carcinogenesis
Research Field:	Cancer Genetics
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:	Cancer and Related Disorders
Author:	McWhirter, RE (Dr Rebekah McWhirter)
Author:	Marthick, JR (Mr James Marthick)
Author:	Dickinson, JL (Associate Professor Joanne Dickinson)
ID Code:	94397
Year Published:	2014
Web of Science® Times Cited:	3
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2014-09-09
Last Modified:	2017-11-06
Downloads:	0