VIN 3 keeps coming back so now I'm being sent for a scan. How long will I have to wait?

Hi, 

For the past 4 years I have been having repeat Smear tests which have come back as High Risk HPV, also Colposcopy’s which have been clear, I have also suffered with Lichen Sclerosus for over 10 years .  I have felt a small spot/lump on the vulva lower part and had it excised  at one of my colposcopy appointments, the result was VIN 3, they said they’d keep an eye on it.  I saw Gynaecologist and she took another biopsy which came back all clear, then another one as I had soreness and the lump returned this was clear too, in August this year it was sore and raised again so she did another biopsy and this came back as VIN 3 again.  

She is now sending me for a CT Scan or MRI Scan to check pelvic area and lymph nodes. I have multiple medical conditions which rule out having operations under general anaesthetic which complicates things going forward.

 How long should I wait to have either of these scans, is it a matter of urgency? 

I will be 70 at  the end of this year and with all my other ailments this on top is making life very hard at the moment.  I know this could go either way and I am trying to look on the positive rather than the negative at the moment, but it would be good to know somethings I may expect if I get bad news and how to try and get through this.

thankmyou for reading.

JW

  • Hi JW, 

    I can imagine it has been a bit of a stressful time for you with this VIN3 recurrence and I hope that you won't have to wait too long for your CT scan and MRI scan. I am not sure really how long you will have to wait for these scans and it might be worth getting in touch with the GP who referred you just to find out whether it was an urgent referral or not and what the waiting times might be like at the moment in your area. Poor you it sounds like you have a lot going on at the moment with those other ailments too which prevent you from having operations under general anaesthetic. 

    We have information on our website on vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) which you may find useful and if you have any questions or want to ask our nurses for guidance on this, don't hesitate to call their free helpline on 0808 800 4040 - it is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I also wanted to mention this VIN3 thread by  who posted recently and don't hesitate to respond if you wish. 

    I do hope you can get some answers and reassurance soon about these waiting times and that others who have been in a similar place before will be able to tell you more from their own experience waiting for these scans. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator