Hi there and thanks for the post

I am sorry to hear about your situation and this must be a horrid time for you and I appreciate this must be an upsetting and unsettling.

VIN stands for Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia here and 1 to 3 classifies how deep the abnormal cells are in the skin. It is as the doctor says a pre cancerous cells condition that if left could turn into cancer but surgery will ensure all abnormal areas are removed.

It seems the doctor initially suspected lichens sclerosis here which can present in a similar way and too can be a very debilitating condition but the news of VIN3 and the surgery required must have come as a shock for you.

Be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to process this information. Do talk to your GP or specialist team about this more when you get the chance so you can understand what needs to happen next and more clearly.

I hope you have close family and friends around  you to support you through this uncertain time but do get back if you need to. You are also very welcome to call the nurses on 0808 800 4040, Mon-Fri 9-5.

Wishing you all the best

Naomi

I managed to speak to the hospital. I was told I have high grade v i n which previously classed v i n 3  she couldn't tell me much else because I'm seeing a specialist in another hospital.They had their meeting and decided I needed surgery. I won't know any more until he's seen me.  I appreciate the reply and support. Thankyou. 

Wellstone 

Hi Wellstonr just read your post about you having Vin 3. I too also.had a biobsy and was told I had vin 3.

My gynecologist is not doing anything about it,as he says it's such a small area he just wants to moniter it. He left me for 3 mths saw me,looked at area of vin 3,said it looked OK and said ill see you in four month's time. I've just had appointment come through and it's actualy 5 mths time.  This is very worrying for me  as I' was diognosed with breast cancer in May 2020,had lumpectomy, lympth nodes removed. 8 chemotherapy sessions and 15 radiotherapy over 3 weeks. So the thought if the vin 3 being left and monitored is very worrying. But my oncologist said  it's hoping my immune system will pick up and the vin 3 goes away. ( I didn't know it could do that)  I'm just worried as I first found the area In 2019,but my gp had said it was just a skin tag, I said I didn't think it looked like a skin tag, turns out I'm right. How is everything with you now,was surgery successful.  As my oncologist said I could do surgery but quite honestly I'd have to take away a bigger margin,and I could mutilate you,and I don't want to do that . I cant understand why I'm just being left and moniterd. 

Hi, I had my operation last Tues, luckily I didn't have as much removed as they originally thought because I have lichens sclerosis as well. I'm no doctor but if vin 3 is a growth of abnormal cells how can they go away. I would question that. They've sent my sample to be tested. It will be a few weeks yet till I know if I have anything else to worry about. I think if I hadn't got the lichens they would have left me too. Having lichens means it potentially grows to cancer quickly. The discomfort, painful soreness  is getting better day by day. I am glad it's been removed  but now I feel like I've got the threat of cancer constantly hanging over me because lichens isn't curable.  Vin3 grows slowly. It's a worrying time for you, hopefully you'll be sorted soon. X

Hello, 

I just wanted to pop in and say that VIN isn't only linked to HPV, it can be linked to other vulval conditions including lichen sclerosis. VIN can have different features too which have a bearing on how it is managed or treated.  If you haven't seen it already, you can read our general information about VIN at the link below

www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../vulval-intraepithelial-neoplasia

All the best

Julia