Vulvar malignancy in biopsy‐proven vulval lichen planus: A retrospective review of 105 cases

Quality of life impact and treatment response in vulval disease: Comparison of 3 common conditions using the Vulval Quality of Life Index

“…27,28 This is especially significant for patients with VLS and VLP as untreated disease has been associated to a higher rate of malignant transformation. 1,2 Clinically significant treatment response, defined as at least a 50% reduction in baseline VQLI score, was observed in all three groups. Complete response was possible; however, only about one-third of patients across all three groups scored in the 'minimal severity' (comprising scores 0-5) in their final VQLI with only 20 patients, 10% of total, achieving 0 points even with maximal therapy.…”

“…The barriers to obtaining a diagnosis are often multifactorial and complex, involving misdiagnosis, stigma and embarrassment 27,28 . This is especially significant for patients with VLS and VLP as untreated disease has been associated to a higher rate of malignant transformation 1,2 …”

“…These conditions are chronic, and for many women, the disease symptoms and treatment have an immense impact on their physical, psychological and sexual health. Moreover, for vulval lichen sclerosus (VLS) and to a lesser extent vulval lichen planus (VLP), there is also known risk of malignant transformation if left untreated 1,2 . Existing literature has been mostly limited to the quality‐of‐life (QOL) studies in VLS 3–10 whilst VLP 5,10,11 and chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis (CVVC) 12 have been less thoroughly researched.…”

“…Diagnosis and appropriate management are often delayed as there is a broad range in morphology and histopathology is often not conclusive 18 . Like VLS, complications include post‐inflammatory scarring and malignancy risk of approximately 2.8% 1,2 …”

“…Moreover, for vulval lichen sclerosus (VLS) and to a lesser extent vulval lichen planus (VLP), there is also known risk of malignant transformation if left untreated. 1 , 2 Existing literature has been mostly limited to the quality‐of‐life (QOL) studies in VLS 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 whilst VLP 5 , 10 , 11 and chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis (CVVC) 12 have been less thoroughly researched. Given this paucity of literature, it is prudent to investigate the ways in which each condition can uniquely impact a patient's QOL so that clinicians can better provide individualised care.…”