Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a pre-cancerous condition of the vulva. The main sign of VIN is cell changes within the epithelial cells. These changes can lead to abnormal tissue growth. Other signs that may be present include warty bumps, redness, and itching. These symptoms indicate a need for further assessment by a medical professional.
VIN is typically diagnosed with a visual inspection of the vulvar tissue and a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A colposcopy may also be used to view the tissues more closely for diagnosis and risk management strategies (i.e., checking for pre-cancerous lesions or other problems).
The treatment of VIN depends on the severity of the condition and any other health problems that may be present. Mild cases will not require treatment most of the time, and close monitoring may be all that’s needed. However, women who wish to become pregnant or who are already pregnant may need surgical removal of affected tissue or treatment with topical or systemic chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy to prevent metastasis and recurrence of VIN.
