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Clinical Responses to Focused Ultrasound Applied to Women With Vulval Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Author(s) -
Jia Ying,
Wu Jin,
Xu Man,
Tang Liangdan,
Li Chengzhi,
Luo Ming,
Lou Meng
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/ultra.33.11.1903
Subject(s) - medicine , ultrasound , vulva , vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia , intraepithelial neoplasia , focused ultrasound , carcinoma in situ , dermatology , carcinoma , surgery , radiology , pathology , cancer , prostate
Objectives Focused ultrasound waves penetrate superficial tissues and are aimed toward the target tissues at specific depths to exert their biological effects. Focused ultrasound has been applied for a number of clinical indications, including vulval dystrophies and low‐grade vulval disease. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of focused ultrasound treatment of high‐grade vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Methods Eighteen women with high‐grade VIN were recruited and treated with focused ultrasound. During each posttreatment follow‐up, the safety of, side effects of, and clinical responses to focused ultrasound were evaluated by a standardized protocol, including symptoms, clinical appearance, and histologic findings. Results All patients completed the designed follow‐ups. In most cases, superficial mild to moderate swelling and blisters were seen in the focused ultrasound–treated skin but not in adjacent normal skin. Of the 18 patients, 16 showed complete histologic regression and resolution of symptoms 6 months after treatment. Of the other 2 patients, 1 showed complete regression after a second focused ultrasound treatment. The other patient did not respond to the focused ultrasound treatment and underwent a partial vulvectomy 6 months after treatment. None of the patients developed invasive carcinoma of the vulva during the follow‐up period. One patient had local pruritus that was not alleviated by anti‐inflammatory medication and local care. Conclusions The complete responses observed in women with high‐grade VIN treated by focused ultrasound, together with the preservation of adjacent normal tissue, suggest that focused ultrasound may be considered for treatment of high‐grade VIN.