Topical 5‐fluorouracil in the treatment of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

Abstract

The effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil (Efudix) in the treatment of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia was assessed in 14 patients diagnosed with the condition between January 1980 and December 1982. All patients received a standard dose of 2.5 g 5-fluorouracil cream once weekly for at least 10 consecutive weeks; mean duration of treatment was 12 weeks (range 10-20 weeks). The vaginal lesion was associated with a major dysplastic lesion of the cervix in all patients. The duration of follow-up ranged from 4 to 42 months (mean 15 months). Thirteen patients had complete resolution both colposcopically and cytologically. One patient still had colposcopic evidence of intraepithelial neoplasia (aceto-white epithelium) but a vaginal smear has been negative. This patient has since been lost to follow-up. We conclude that in the regimen described 5-fluorouracil is an effective treatment for vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.