What to Know About Precancerous Vulvar Changes
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a precancerous change in your vulva. It is not cancer, but if it is not treated it can turn into cancer. Another name for VIN is dysplasia. These cell changes become more serious as they progress toward cancer. The terms used for dysplasia are mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia, and severe dysplasia. The last stage before cancer is called carcinoma in situ.
Your doctor can find VIN from examination of your vulva and perhaps a biopsy. It can be treated, but it can also return. If you have been diagnosed and treated for VIN, pay close attention to your body. Do regular self-exams of your vulva as your doctor directs you. Also, see your doctor when you are scheduled and for follow-up visits, as well as if you have pain or burning in the vulvar area or skin changes.
In most cases, women with VIN do not develop vulvar cancer. But you should follow up and protect yourself by getting any tests and treatments that your doctor suggests. When doctors find and treat precancerous changes early, they can often prevent vulvar cancer from developing.
These are signs of VIN.
- Mild to severe itching or burning on the vulva
- Changes in skin color on the vulva. It may be white, pink to red, gray, or dark brown.
- Thickness around skin on the vulvar area. The skin may be smooth or irregular, or appear wart like.
