Photodynamic therapy combined with carbon dioxide laser for low-grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: A retrospective analysis.

Abstract

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) combined with a carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser + PDT) versus CO2 laser for the treatment of low-grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasms (vaginal LSIL). We recruited 40 patients with vaginal LSIL and persistent HR-HPV infection and divided these individuals into two groups. The CO2 laser + PDT group (20 patients) received one CO2 laser treatment and three treatments of ALA-PDT over a one-week interval. The CO2 laser group (20 patients) received up to three CO2 laser treatments. All patients were followed up at 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year. Hybrid capture HPV DNA assay and colposcopic biopsy were performed for both groups before treatment and during each of the follow-ups. Adverse effects were also assessed. The complete remission (CR) rates were 65 % (13/20) in the CO2 laser group and 85 % (17/20) in the CO2 laser + PDT group (p > 0.05). HR-HPV remission rates were 25 % (5/20) in the CO2 laser group and 95 % (19/20) in the CO2 laser + PDT group (p < 0.05) at one year after treatment. In the CO2 laser group, one patient experienced severe bleeding during treatment. Twelve patients had varying degrees of adhesions and vaginal scar stenosis. One patient underwent vaginal "dead angle" after repeated CO2 laser treatment. No severe adverse events or systemic side effects were observed in the CO2 + PDT group. Topical ALA-PDT combined with CO2 laser is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for vaginal LSIL and HR-HPV infections.