Prevalence of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: Experience in a tertiary Government Hospital

• Published in: Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 97 - 102
• Main Authors: Bucu, Mikaela, Domingo, Efren
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.05.2022
• Subjects: vulvar lesions; vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia; Premalignant; vulvar disease
• ISSN: 0116-6069; 2772-9567

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a precancerous lesion involving the squamous epithelium of the vulva. This retrospective descriptive study aims to determine the prevalence of VIN in a tertiary government hospital in a developing country. Medical records of outpatient consultations with the diagnosis of VIN from January 2000 to June 2012 were reviewed. The prevalence of VIN was 1.6/100,000 women over the 12 years. The diagnosis was based on biopsy results of an incidental finding of vulvar lesions on physical examination. The profile of a patient with VIN was a woman aged 40 years old and above, married, multigravid, nonsmoker, high school graduate, and unemployed. Vulvar lesions noted were multiple hyperpigmented papules located at the posterior labia majora. VIN was associated with abnormal colposcopy findings, and 40% were associated with concomitant cervical disease. Treatment was wide local excision. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of VIN aim to prevent its progression to vulvar carcinoma. Although vulvar carcinoma is a rare condition, there has been a notable rise in prevalence in recent years. Hence, gynecologists should be vigilant and have a high index of suspicion to detect the disease early in its course.