Radiotherapy in the management of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia after hysterectomy

Abstract

Intravaginal radium was used to treat 11 patients who were found to have vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) following hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. All were discovered by cytological follow-up, were colposcopically assessed and diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination before treatment. Nine of 10 patients questioned continue to enjoy satisfactory sexual intercourse after treatment but 6 of 8 premenopausal patients subsequently became oestrogen deficient and required hormone replacement therapy. No other significant morbidity has been observed. All remain cytologically and colposcopically free of disease after a median follow-up of 26 months. We conclude that radiotherapy is an effective treatment of VAIN following hysterectomy.