A multicenter study of the clinical characteristics of usual-type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia in China

ObjectiveTo investigate clinical characteristics of usual-type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (uVIN) in China.MethodsA retrospective review of the records of 64 patients with uVIN was performed at 3 academic hospitals between 2004 and 2010. Patients were assigned to a younger (≤ 40 years) or an older (> 40 years) group. Clinical characteristics of lesions were described and analyzed.ResultsMean patient age was 40.6 years. There was a high proportion of incidental findings (34%), multifocal lesions (64%), variegated lesions (59%), and multiple neoplastic lesions in the lower genital tract (20%). As patient age increased, so did numbers of patients reporting pain (P < 0.05). Longer time between symptom onset and uVIN diagnosis, and more multifocal lesions were noted in the older group (P < 0.05). Whereas younger patients often presented with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and uVIN, older patients often presented with intraepithelial neoplasia at uncommon locations (e.g. vagina, anus, and periurethral region) (P < 0.05). No differences between the groups were found regarding gross appearance or anatomic location of uVIN lesions (P > 0.05).ConclusionAge-specific differences were noted in location of neoplastic lesions in the lower genital tract and time to diagnosis of uVIN. However, the clinical features of uVIN lesions were heterogeneous and non-age specific.