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Preinvasive Epithelial Disease of the Vulvar

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Handbook of Gynecology
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Abstract

Premalignant diseases of the vulva include disorders of epithelial growth and differentiation in the vulva. According to the latest classification from the International Society for the Study of Vulvar Disease, the three main categories for intraepithelial neoplasia include vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), Paget’s disease, and melanoma in situ (MIS). VIN is further divided into two main categories: The most common one is VIN usual type or HPV related, and the second one is VIN differentiated type. The rate of progression of untreated high-grade VIN to invasive vulvar cancer is ranging from 9% to 18.5%. The diagnosis is usually carried out by visual inspection and biopsy is necessary for histologic confirmation. There is no useful screening test available for preinvasive vulvar disease, which highlights the importance of healthcare provider awareness for different existing premalignant vulvar lesions. Surgical excision remains the mainstay of the treatment for preinvasive epithelial vulvar disease. Alternative treatment options for VIN and Paget’s disease include ablation and pharmacological treatment. Preinvasive epithelial vulvar disease can recur which warrants long-term patient monitoring. This review highlights epidemiological characteristics, histological patterns, clinical features, diagnostic studies, and management strategies for preinvasive vulvar diseases.

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Correspondence to Aida Moeini .

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Moeini, A., Machida, H., Cahoon, S.S., Matsuo, K. (2023). Preinvasive Epithelial Disease of the Vulvar. In: Shoupe, D. (eds) Handbook of Gynecology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14881-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14881-1_10

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