The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) Consensus Statement on the Management of Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Abstract

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). The management of VaIN varies according to the grade of the lesion: VaIN 1 (low grade vaginal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL)) can be subjected to follow-up, while VaIN 2–3 (high-grade vaginal SIL) should be treated. Treatment needs individualization according to the patient’s characteristics, disease extension and previous therapeutic procedures. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment and should be performed if invasion cannot be excluded. Total vaginectomy is used only in highly selected cases of extensive and persistent disease. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) laser may be used as both an ablation method and an excisional one. Reported cure rates after laser excision and laser ablation are similar. Topical agents are useful for persistent, multifocal lesions or for patients who cannot undergo surgical treatment. Imiquimod was associated with the lowest recurrence rate, highest human papillomavirus (HPV) clearance, and can be considered the best topical approach. Trichloroacetic acid and 5-fluorouracil are historical options and should be discouraged. For VaIN after hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3, laser vaporization and topical agents are not the best options, since they cannot reach epithelium buried in the vaginal scar. In these cases surgical options are preferable. Brachytherapy has a high overall success rate but due to late side effects should be reserved for poor surgical candidates, having multifocal disease, and with failed prior treatments. VaIN tends to recur and ensuring patient adherence to close follow-up visits is of the utmost importance. The first evaluation should be performed at 6 months with cytology and an HPV test during 2 years and annually thereafter. The implementation of vaccination against HPV infection is expected to contribute to the prevention of VaIN and thus cancer of the vagina. The effects of treatment can have an impact on quality of life and result in psychological and psychosexual issues which should be addressed. Patients with VaIN need clear and up-to-date information on a range of treatment options including risks and benefits, as well as the need for follow-up and the risk of recurrence.

Human papillomavirus genotyping in high‐grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: A multicentric Italian study

“…3 Persistent HPV infection may lead to the development of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) 4 : VaIN 1 represents a benign lesion that may regress spontaneously in most cases, while As well as VaIN diagnosis, its treatment may be difficult, requiring specific expertise and depending on VaIN grade, presence of multifocal and multicentric lesions, age and immunodepression of the patients. 7,8 In particular, special attention should be given to HPV 16 positive women, as it is the most frequent genotype involved in multicentric and recurrent disease.…”

Recent advances in treating female genital human papillomavirus related neoplasms with topical imiquimod

“…5 HPV is also associated with the development of female lower genital tract pre-invasive lesions including vulvar intraepithelial lesions (VIN), vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN), and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). 6,[9][10][11][12][13] In this context, the role of an immune response modifier, like imiquimod, has growing evidence that supports its therapeutic role in the treatment of various gynecological neoplasms of the lower genital tract. 14,15 The aim of this review is to provide the state-of-the-art on the therapeutic role of Imiquimod in HPV-related lower genital tract neoplasms.…”

“…HPV is also associated with the development of female lower genital tract pre‐invasive lesions including vulvar intraepithelial lesions (VIN), vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN), and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 6,9–13 …”

Characteristics of high‐risk HPV infection in women with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia in Beijing, China

“…Due to the widespread application of cervical cancer screening and advancements in colposcopies, the morbidity of CIN and cervical cancer has decreased, but cases of VaIN are increasing annually 7 . However, owing to a lack of features and focus on cervical lesions, VaIN can be easily overlooked, the natural history of VaIN has not been well characterized, and there is no consensus regarding the optimal management of VaIN 8,9 . A comparison between CIN and VaIN can be made because their natural history and risk factors are similar.…”

“…7 However, owing to a lack of features and focus on cervical lesions, VaIN can be easily overlooked, the natural history of VaIN has not been well characterized, and there is no consensus regarding the optimal management of VaIN. 8,9 A comparison between CIN and VaIN can be made because their natural history and risk factors are similar. In particular, high-risk (Hr)-HPV infection is a common risk factor in VaIN and CIN and plays an important role in the development of VaIN.…”