What is VIN in gynecology?
Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a skin condition of the vulva. The vulva is the area between a woman’s legs that includes the female external sex organs. Diagram showing the vulva. Abnormal cells develop in the surface layers of the skin covering the vulva.
Is VIN serious?
With VIN the cells are not cancerous. However, in time, the cells of VIN in some affected women may become cancerous. So, VIN is classed as a pre-cancerous condition. (This is similar to the abnormal cells that are found in some women following cervical screening – previously called the cervical smear test.
What are the stages of VIN?
VIN is often divided into three stages VIN 1, 2, and 3. These stages refer to how deeply the abnormal cells have gone into the surface layer of the vulva. Most women are diagnosed with VIN 3. VIN 1 – only one third of the thickness of the surface layer of the vulva is affected.
What is VIN surgery?
Surgery. The main treatment for VIN is usually a small operation to remove the affected area from the vulva. This is called a wide local excision. Rarely, if the area is large or there are several areas, the whole vulva may be removed. This is called a vulvectomy.
What is VIN condition?
Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a precancerous condition. This means there are changes to certain cells in the vulva that are not cancerous, but could potentially turn into cancer at a later date. This is a gradual process that usually takes well over 10 years.
Can vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia be cured?
For a long time, precancerous cells can grow on the surface of the vulvar skin. The term for this precancerous condition is vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) or dysplasia. VIN is nearly completely curable. Almost all patients with vulvar cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes live for at least five years.
How long does VIN take to develop?
Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) This means there are changes to certain cells in the vulva that are not cancerous, but could potentially turn into cancer at a later date. This is a gradual process that usually takes well over 10 years. In some cases, the abnormal cells may go away by themselves.
Can VIN spread?
This virus is spread by direct intimate skin-to-skin contact (generally during sexual intercourse). If you have usual type VIN, it is because you were exposed at some point in time to HPV. Most healthy adults are exposed to HPV during their life; some adults become infected and carry the virus in their skin.
How is vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed?
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, also known as VIN, is a non-invasive squamous lesion and precursor of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the vulva. There is no screening test for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. Diagnosis of VIN is made clinically and confirmed with a biopsy.
How long does it take for a vulvar biopsy to heal?
Healing duration: After a vulvar biopsy, healing usually generally occurs in five to seven days, but it may take longer depending on the depth of deficit. Time taken for healing of the area depends on the care taken after the procedure, size of the incision, location of biopsy, and type of biopsy.
Does VIN recur?
Most (75%) of recurrences will occur with the first 43 months after diagnosis with half occurring in the first 18 months. Patients who have had positive margins on their excisional specimen are at the highest risk for an earlier recurrence. VIN is an insidious disease with a high recurrence rate.
How painful is vulvar biopsy?
This will sting briefly but quickly makes the area go numb. This means that you should not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Once the area is numb, the nurse will take a very small biopsy using a special biopsy tool.