Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, grade III, treated with photodynamic therapy: A case report

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a precancerous lesion on the vulvar epidermis that does not invade or metastasize to surrounding stroma; it manifests as atypical intraepithelial hyperplasia on the vulva. Most patients with VIN are diagnosed early, and treatment with standardized therapy often leads to complete regression of symptoms. The treatment of VIN is still a challenge for clinicians because, in most cases, surgery is destructive and risky. However, photodynamic therapy (PDT) was recommended as a new treatment for VIN. Herein, we report the case of a patient with a large-area high-grade VIN lesion complicated by human papillomavirus infection. The patient could not undergo surgical treatment. However, treatment with PDT was performed in our outpatient department. There was slight pain during the treatment after multi-point injection of micro-lidocaine (0.05 mL/dot) was given. No recurrence was noted after 13 months of follow-up. More importantly, scarring and other major side effects were not detected. Therefore, PDT can be a useful alternative treatment for patients with VIN with large lesions or multifocal high-grade VIN.