title: Colposcopic patterns of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: a study from the Italian Society of Colposcopy and Cervico-Vaginal Pathology.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the colposcopic patterns observed in women with a histopathological diagnosis of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). The medical charts and the colposcopy records of women diagnosed with VaIN from January 1995 to December 2013 were analysed in a multicentre retrospective case series. The abnormal colposcopic patterns observed in women with VaIN1, VaIN2 and VaIN3 were compared. The vascular patterns and micropapillary pattern were considered separately. A grade II abnormal colposcopic pattern was more commonly observed in women with a biopsy diagnosis of VaIN3 rather than with VaIN1 or VaIN2 (P<0.001). Vascular patterns were also more common in women with VaIN3 rather than with VaIN1 or VaIN2 (P<0.001). Moreover, in women with grade I colposcopy, the rate of VaIN3 was significantly higher when a vascular pattern was observed (62.5 vs. 37.5%; P=0.04). The micropapillary pattern was more common in women with grade I colposcopy and it was more frequently observed in women with VaIN1 rather than in those with VaIN2 or VaIN3 (P<0.001). Grade II abnormal colposcopic pattern was more commonly observed in women with VaIN3. Moreover, the detection of vascular patterns appeared to be associated with more severe disease (VaIN3) even in women with grade I colposcopy, whereas the micropapillary pattern should be considered an expression of a less severe disease (VaIN1 and VaIN2).
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Oncology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Aviano.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sopracordevole
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asti Community Hospital, Asti.
authors.forename: Maggiorino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbero
authors.affiliation: Department of Woman's Health Sciences , Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Clemente
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal and Child Health, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze.
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Fallani
authors.affiliation: Center for Gynecologic Oncology Prevention, ULSS 20, Verona.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cattani
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Science Institute, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarossi
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Oncology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Aviano.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Piero
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Daniele del Friuli Community Hospital, San Daniele del Friuli, Udine.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medicine and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frega
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecological, Obstetric and Pediatric Sciences, Section of Gynaecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boselli
authors.affiliation: Department of Woman's Health Sciences , Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mancioli
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Oncology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Aviano.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buttignol
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asti Community Hospital, Asti.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Currado
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal and Child Health, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pieralli
authors.affiliation: Department of Woman's Health Sciences , Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciavattini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003127:Colposcopy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014621:Vagina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult