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Genetic and epigenetic variation in vulvar cancer: Current research and future clinical practice
Author(s) -
McWhirter Rebekah E.,
Marthick James R.,
Boyle Jacqueline A.,
Dickinson Joanne L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/ajo.12241
Subject(s) - vulvar cancer , epigenetics , disease , medicine , etiology , malignancy , clinical practice , cancer , bioinformatics , biology , pathology , genetics , family medicine , gene
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.