Clinical features, treatment and outcomes of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia in a Chinese tertiary centre

Cytology and HPV Co-Testing for Detection of Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Retrospective Study

(1) Background: Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) is a rare premalignant disease caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Diagnosing VaIN is challenging; abnormal cytology and positive HPV tests are usually the first signs, but published data on their accuracy for detecting it are rare and contradictory. The aim of this study is to compare the results of hrHPV and cytology co-testing with the histological findings of the vagina. (2) Methods: In the certified Dysplasia Unit at Erlangen University Hospital, cytology and HPV samples from the uterine cervix or vaginal wall after hysterectomy were obtained between 2015 and 2023 and correlated with histological findings in biopsies from the vaginal wall. Women without vaginal biopsy findings or concomitant cervical disease were excluded. (3) Results: In all, 279 colposcopies in 209 women were included. The histological results were: benign (n = 86), VaIN I/vLSIL (n = 116), VaIN II/vHSIL (n = 41), VaIN III/vHSIL (n = 33), and carcinoma (n = 3). Accuracy for detecting VaIN was higher in women with previous hysterectomies. Positive HPV testing during colposcopy increased the likelihood for VaIN II/III/vHSIL threefold. The detection rate for VaIN III/vHSIL was 50% after hysterectomy and 36.4% without hysterectomy. (4) Conclusions: Women with risk factors for VaIN, including HPV-16 infection or prior HPV-related disease, need careful work-up of the entire vaginal wall. Hysterectomy for HPV-related disease and a history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) also increased the risk for VaIN II/III/vHSIL.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) Consensus Statement on the Management of Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia

ABSTRACT

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). The management of VaIN varies according to the grade of the lesion: VaIN 1 (low grade vaginal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL)) can be subjected to follow-up, while VaIN 2-3 (high-grade vaginal SIL) should be treated. Treatment needs individualization according to the patient's characteristics, disease extension and previous therapeutic procedures. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment and should be performed if invasion cannot be excluded. Total vaginectomy is used only in highly selected cases of extensive and persistent disease. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser may be used as both an ablation method and an excisional one. Reported cure rates after laser excision and laser ablation are similar. Topical agents are useful for persistent, multifocal lesions or for patients who cannot undergo surgical treatment. Imiquimod was associated with the lowest recurrence rate, highest human papillomavirus (HPV) clearance, and can be considered the best topical approach. Trichloroacetic acid and 5-fluorouracil are historical options and should be discouraged. For VaIN after hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3, laser vaporization and topical agents are not the best options, since they cannot reach epithelium buried in the vaginal scar. In these cases surgical options are preferable. Brachytherapy has a high overall success rate but due to late side effects should be reserved for poor surgical candidates, having multifocal disease, and with failed prior treatments. VaIN tends to recur and ensuring patient adherence to close follow-up visits is of the utmost importance. The first evaluation should be performed at 6 months with cytology and an HPV test during 2 years and annually thereafter. The implementation of vaccination against HPV infection is expected to contribute to the prevention of VaIN and thus cancer of the vagina. The effects of treatment can have an impact on quality of life and result in psychological and psychosexual issues which should be addressed. Patients with VaIN need clear and up-to-date information on a range of treatment options including risks and benefits, as well as the need for follow-up and the risk of recurrence.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) consensus statement on the management of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). The management of VaIN varies according to the grade of the lesion: VaIN 1 (low grade vaginal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL)) can be subjected to follow-up, while VaIN 2-3 (high-grade vaginal SIL) should be treated. Treatment needs individualization according to the patient's characteristics, disease extension and previous therapeutic procedures. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment and should be performed if invasion cannot be excluded. Total vaginectomy is used only in highly selected cases of extensive and persistent disease. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser may be used as both an ablation method and an excisional one. Reported cure rates after laser excision and laser ablation are similar. Topical agents are useful for persistent, multifocal lesions or for patients who cannot undergo surgical treatment. Imiquimod was associated with the lowest recurrence rate, highest human papillomavirus (HPV) clearance, and can be considered the best topical approach. Trichloroacetic acid and 5-fluorouracil are historical options and should be discouraged. For VaIN after hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3, laser vaporization and topical agents are not the best options, since they cannot reach epithelium buried in the vaginal scar. In these cases surgical options are preferable. Brachytherapy has a high overall success rate but due to late side effects should be reserved for poor surgical candidates, having multifocal disease, and with failed prior treatments. VaIN tends to recur and ensuring patient adherence to close follow-up visits is of the utmost importance. The first evaluation should be performed at 6 months with cytology and an HPV test during 2 years and annually thereafter. The implementation of vaccination against HPV infection is expected to contribute to the prevention of VaIN and thus cancer of the vagina. The effects of treatment can have an impact on quality of life and result in psychological and psychosexual issues which should be addressed. Patients with VaIN need clear and up-to-date information on a range of treatment options including risks and benefits, as well as the need for follow-up and the risk of recurrence.

Non-Excisional Therapeutic Modalities In Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia is an uncommon Human Papilloma Virus-related premalignant lesion of the lower genital tract. There is still no consensus regarding its management. Therapeutic modalities include observation, laser ablation, topical agents, radiation and surgical approach. Due to the current increasing adherence to minimally invasive therapies the aim of this study is to identify and characterize non-excisional treatment modalities. Expectant management is the first therapeutical option in low-grade lesions management. Up to 81% of lesions through an expectant approach regressed spontaneously and most of them were low-grade lesions. In contrast, high-grade lesions, due to its higher potential to invasion progression and low regression rate, require treatment, which should be selected depending on its characteristics and the patient's preference. Laser ablation is suitable for multifocal lesions in sexually active young women with a cure rate up to 90% and recurrence rate up to 6.3%. Brachytherapy can be 71.4%-90% efficient with a maximum of 5.8% and 20% of persistence rate and recurrence rate, respectively. However, due to its toxicity, it should be reserved for selected cases only. Topical modalities for multifocal lesions, such as Imiquimod 5% and 5-Flouorouracil, have a good therapeutic effect, low pharmacological morbidity, and 25%-98% cure rate, 11.1%-75% persistence rate and 5.6%-94.4% recurrence rate.

Analysis on the Effect of Radiofrequency Ablation and Electrocautery in the Treatment of Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Objective

This research intends to investigate the clinical efficacy of radiofrequency ablation and electrocautery in treating grade I or II vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN).

Methods

This is a single-center retrospective study, which collected the clinical data of 100 patients with VaIN diagnosed by colposcopy and pathological biopsy in the Gynecology and Cervical Center of Xiangzhu Branch of the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region between January 2020 and June 2021. Patients were divided into the study group (radiofrequency ablation treatment) and the control group (electrocautery) according to differences in treatment approaches. 6- and 12-month follow-ups were performed on all patients. Gynecological examination results, liquid-based thin-layer cytology (TCT), negative conversion of human papillomavirus (HPV), curative effects, and prognosis were recorded.

Results

All patients completed regular follow-ups that lasted for 6 and 12 months. The 6- and 12-month cure rates of the study group were 76.0% and 92.0%, respectively, and the data in the control group were 70.0% and 82.0%, respectively. In terms of the 6- and 12-month negative conversion rates of HPV, the data in the study group were 68.0% and 78.0%, versus 60% and 68% in the control group, respectively. The lesion duration rate showed no statistical significance between the study group (8.0%) and the control group (P > 0.05). The analysis of postoperative follow-up complications revealed that the study group had a statistically lower overall incidence of vaginal bleeding, excessive vaginal discharge, vaginal burning sensation, and decreased vaginal elasticity than the control group (8.0% vs. 24.0% P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Both radiofrequency ablation and electrocautery have obvious clinical effects in patients with grade I or II VaIN, but the former contributed to fewer operative complications and a good prognosis, which deserves clinical promotion.

Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia in patients after total hysterectomy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the incidence of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) after total hysterectomy and, subsequently, optimize the follow-up strategy of patients after hysterectomy.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted on 8581 patients with benign gynecology disease who underwent total hysterectomy in our institution between January 2006 to December 2017, including 834 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 7747 patients without cervical lesions before hysterectomy. All patients underwent postoperative high-risk human papilloma virus (Hr-HPV) screening and liquid-based cytology test (LCT) as confirmatory tests. Colposcopies were performed if the results of the confirmatory tests were abnormal, and biopsies were performed depending on colposcopy images. The mean follow-up time was 33.8 ± 12.1 months. The relationship among VaIN, CIN, and confirmatory test results was investigated.

RESULTS

VaIN was found in 81 patients after hysterectomy (incidence rate, 0.9%). The incidence rates of VaIN in patients with and without CIN history were significantly different (7.3%, 61/834, vs 0.3%, 20/7747; P < 0.05). Compared with patients without CIN history, those with CIN history were more likely to have abnormal LCT results in the postoperative follow-up, especially low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse (P < 0.001). Patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in the LCT have a high VaIN incidence (patients with CIN history, 57.1%; patients without CIN history, 15.1%), and the 2 patients with squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma (SCC/AC) in the LCT had CIN and VaIN or worse after hysterectomy. The Hr-HPV infection rates after the hysterectomy of patients with and without CIN history were 18.8% (157/834) and 5.4% (419/7747), respectively. The incidences morbidities of VaIN in patients with persistent Hr-HPV infection and in those with and without CIN history were 35.7% and 12.0%, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in patients with negative Hr-HPV (patients with CIN history, 0.7%; patients without CIN history, 0.1%; P = 0.002). The incidence of VaIN in patients with CIN history with HPV-16 infection after hysterectomy was as high as 50%, but in patients without CIN history, the incidences of different Hr-HPV subtypes were not significantly different (P = 0.953).

CONCLUSION

Patients with CIN history were more prone to VaIN and SCC after hysterectomy than were patients without CIN history. Patients should be screened thoroughly for cervical and vaginal lesions before hysterectomy. After hysterectomy, patients with CIN history should undergo lifetime annual LCT and HPV screening.

UK national survey of the management of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) is less common than intraepithelial neoplasia at other non-cervical sites and can be challenging to manage. This survey describes current clinical practice by colposcopists in the UK. An online questionnaire was emailed to all the lead colposcopists in U.K. A total of 86 (43%) responses were obtained. The median number of cases of VaIN seen in a year was five (range 0-100. Most clinics (95%) managed low grade VaIN conservatively. Local vaginal mucosal excision was the most common surgical procedure. Half of respondents adopted observation, although 64% of the units referred cases to a cancer centre. More than half used a combination of cytology and colposcopy for follow-up; only two reported using Human papilloma virus testing. Seventy-seven of eighty-six lead colposcopists did not have a local guideline and would support national guidance. Treatment differed across the UK with no agreed management guidelines.Impact statementWhat is already known on the subject? Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) is a pre-cancerous condition of lower genital tract and usually co-exists with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) rather than in isolation. Unlike CIN, VaIN can be extremely challenging to manage in view of its anatomical proximity to bladder and bowel and also difficulty in accessing fornices. If diagnosed during the definitive management of CIN at the time of hysterectomy and confined to the upper vagina, it could be surgically treated at the same time. VaIN can be more challenging post-hysterectomy, especially following a failed medical and conservation option. Various treatment options are adopted for management of VaIN with no standardisation of care.What do the results of this study add? A national survey was conducted to assess the management of VaIN amongst lead colposcopists. The national survey has added valuable results, despite a response rate of only 43%. The survey confirmed conservative approach to low grade VaIN but differing treatment for high grade VaIN.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This clearly calls for the implementation of a national guideline in the UK to standardise management of VaIN, though it may be quite challenging. The survey could help inform implementation of HrHPV testing in recurrent or persistent VaIN.

Colposcopic patterns of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: a study from the Italian Society of Colposcopy and Cervico-Vaginal Pathology

The aim of this study was to evaluate the colposcopic patterns observed in women with a histopathological diagnosis of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). The medical charts and the colposcopy records of women diagnosed with VaIN from January 1995 to December 2013 were analysed in a multicentre retrospective case series. The abnormal colposcopic patterns observed in women with VaIN1, VaIN2 and VaIN3 were compared. The vascular patterns and micropapillary pattern were considered separately. A grade II abnormal colposcopic pattern was more commonly observed in women with a biopsy diagnosis of VaIN3 rather than with VaIN1 or VaIN2 (P<0.001). Vascular patterns were also more common in women with VaIN3 rather than with VaIN1 or VaIN2 (P<0.001). Moreover, in women with grade I colposcopy, the rate of VaIN3 was significantly higher when a vascular pattern was observed (62.5 vs. 37.5%; P=0.04). The micropapillary pattern was more common in women with grade I colposcopy and it was more frequently observed in women with VaIN1 rather than in those with VaIN2 or VaIN3 (P<0.001). Grade II abnormal colposcopic pattern was more commonly observed in women with VaIN3. Moreover, the detection of vascular patterns appeared to be associated with more severe disease (VaIN3) even in women with grade I colposcopy, whereas the micropapillary pattern should be considered an expression of a less severe disease (VaIN1 and VaIN2).

Clinical analysis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

The purpose of this prospective cohort study is to evaluate the importance of screening and its diagnostic accuracy compared with the pathological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN).The prospective study enrolled 419 patients (pts) and was conducted between February 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016 at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University.All enrolled pts underwent multipoint biopsy of cervix and vaginal wall directed by colposcopy. All samples of biopsy underwent pathological examination. Among them, 201 pts (48.0%) were diagnosed with CIN, 218 pts (52.0%) were diagnosed with cervicitis, and 51 pts (12.2%) were diagnosed with VAIN. It was found that the incidence of CIN in pts was 4 times higher than that of VAIN. In all 419 patients enrolled, 218 pts had cervicitis with 13 pts (6.0%) of VAIN. There were 201 pts of CIN with 38 pts (18.9%) of VAIN: including 53 pts of CIN3 with 12 pts (22.6%) of VAIN; 49 pts of CIN2 with 9 pts of VAIN (18.4%), and 99 pts of CIN1 with 17 pts of VAIN (17.2%). The incidence of CIN with VAIN (18.9%) was significantly higher than cervicitis with VAIN (6.0%) (χ = 16.39, P = .00). Our results showed that there was a significant consistency between cervical lesions and vaginal lesions (χ = 135.91, P = .00), which indicated that the increase of CIN grades may be related to an increase of the VAIN grades. Our results also showed the significant (p < .05) increase of CIN and VAIN with age (<40 years Kappa = 0.04; 40-50 years Kappa = 0.11; >50 years Kappa = 0.28).This study showed that cytological test can be used as a routine screening method for cervical lesions and vaginal diseases. If the cytology result shows abnormality, and pathological examination confirms that there is no obvious abnormal cervical disease, colposcopy directed vaginal multipoint biopsy should be conducted to exclude vaginal disease. All patients of CIN should routinely undergo vaginal multipoint biopsy (1/3 upper vagina), especially in patients with high-grade CIN and age older than 50 years.