Development of invasive disease in 433 women treated for vulvar, vaginal or perianal intraepithelial neoplasia

Abstract

5043 Background: The incidence of intraepithelial neoplasia (IN) of the lower anogenital tract is increasing. Due to small case-series, the malignant potential of treated high-grade IN is not well defined and risk factors for progression are not established. Methods: Patients with IN of the vulva (VIN), vagina (VAIN) and perianal skin (PAIN) were identified in the electronic databases of three university colposcopy clinics. Inclusion criteria were biopsy proven IN grade 2–3 (high-grade) and no history of vaginal, vulvar or anorectal cancer. Excluded were patients with the diagnosis of invasive disease within one year from initial diagnosis of IN. Results: 442 patients were identified from 1977 to 2005 with a mean follow up of 69.9 ± 56.1 months. Initial diagnosis was VIN III in 75.3%, VIN II in 17.2%, VAIN II in 4.3%, VAIN III in 2%, and PAIN II/III in 1.1% of patients. Mean age at initial diagnosis was 47.1 ± 14.1 (range, 18–102). Initial treatment was biopsy and laser evaporation in 61.5%, surgical excision in 32.8%, and other locally destructive methods in 3.1% of patients. 9 patients refused any treatment (2.0%). In the 433 treated patients, recurrent disease (e.g. diagnosed >1 year after initial diagnosis) occurred in 32.2%. In patients with a follow up longer than 5 years, 14.4 % were still experiencing recurrences. In multivariate analysis, immunosuppression (OR: 2.33, 95% CI 1.06–5.06, p = 0.035) was associated with recurrence but not smoking, age or histological grade. Progression to invasive disease occurred in 3.8% of treated patients within a mean time of 7.9 ± 6.8 years (range, 1.3–24.5). In multivariate analysis, immunosuppression (OR:3.31, 95% CI 1.01–10.93, p = 0.049) and smoking (OR:3.12, 95% CI 1.07–9.08, p = 0.037) were independent risk factors for progression. Conclusions: Anogenital IN is a chronic disease in a substantial proportion of patients. The malignant potential is remarkably high despite repeated treatments. Therefore, long lasting surveillance is mandatory, especially in immunosuppressed or smoking patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.