Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a cellular abnormality that occurs in the outer vagina. In contrast to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), VIN has different causes.
VIN can develop on the basis of lichen sclerosus. Lichen sclerosus et atrophicans is an autoimmune disease that leads to chronic inflammation, itching and drying of the vagina. If lichen persists for a long time, it can lead to VIN. Lichen occurs mainly in women over 60, but in rare cases also in very young women (sometimes even under 20). Diagnosis is difficult, so lichen is often overlooked. However, treatment is essential to counteract the symptoms on the one hand and to prevent VIN and thus precancerous lesions of the vagina (vulvar carcinoma) on the other hand.
The second cause of VIN is an infection with HPV (see chapter HPV). Human papilloma viruses can also lead to VIN. Because HPV infections are found more often in younger people, VIN cases have been increasingly diagnosed in young women in recent years.
I will be happy to advise you about HPV, dysplasia and prevention and treatment options during a personal consultation.
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FAQ
Dysplasia is a cell change that could potentially lead to cancer in the future
CIN stands for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and is a cell change that occurs on the cervix. There are different degrees of severity of CIN, not every CIN necessarily needs to be treated immediately.
VIN stands for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and is a cell change that occurs on the outer vagina. There are different degrees of severity of VIN. Not every VIN necessarily needs to be treated immediately.
CIN II and CIN III are cell changes that should be observed in the short term but treated in the long term.
Reply
If VIN III has been diagnosed, treatment should be performed. There are two options in this situation: Surgical resection of the VIN is the preferred therapy. However, treatment with imiquimod is also possible.