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Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: report of 102 cases
E Diakomanolis1, K Stefanidis, A Rodolakis
1Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Athens University, Alexandra Hospital, Greece.
Background:
Vaginal intraepithelian neoplasia (VAIN) is a rare asymptomatic disorder. The aims of the current study were to profile patients with VAIN and to evaluate the response to treatment.
Material And Methods:
We reviewed the records of 102 patients with VAIN diagnosed from 1990 to 2000.
Results:
Patients with VAIN, VAIN2 and VAIN3 had the following mean ages 44.5, 47.8 and 61.8 years, respectively (p < 0.001). All patients with VAIN were found to have abnormal Papanicolaou smears. Localization of the lesions to the upper third of the vagina was observed in 80% of the cases. Recurrences following laser ablation and partial vaginectomy reached 21%. Patients with minimal VAIN lesions from whom punch biopsies were obtained had the lowest recurrence rate. Multifocality significantly affected the risk of recurrence (p = 0.03).
Conclusion:
VAIN most often involves the upper third of the vagina and is often multifocal. Patient selection and operator skill have a significant influence on the treatment outcome.