Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: report of 102 cases.

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.