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Treatment of Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Source: Vaginal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: April 3, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
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Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN), the presence of noninvasive squamous cell atypia, is classified by the degree of involvement of the epithelium, as follows:
VaIN 1 is defined as involvement of the upper one-third of the epithelial thickness.
VaIN 2 is defined as involvement of the upper two-thirds of the epithelial thickness.
VaIN 3 is defined as involvement of more than two-thirds of the epithelial thickness. VaIN 3 lesions that involve the full thickness of the epithelium are called carcinoma in situ.
VaIN is associated with a high rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and is thought to have an etiology that is similar to that of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).[1-3]
The cervix and vulva are carefully evaluated because vaginal carcinoma in situ is associated with other genital neoplasia, and in some cases, may be an extension of CIN. Vaginal carcinoma in situ is often multifocal and commonly occurs in the vaginal vault. For more information, see Cervical Cancer Treatment.
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The extent and type of surgical treatment needed is dependent upon anatomical location, evidence of multifocality, general patient comorbidities, and other specific factors (e.g., anatomical distortion of vaginal vault from prior hysterectomy).[4]
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