Benign lesions of the vulva
Dr Prafull Ghatage
Tom Baker Cancer Centre,
Calgary, Canada
March 2012
Learning objectives
n  Anatomy of the vulva
n  Physiology of vulvar itching
n  Definitions
n  Classification – ISSVD
n  Management
Itch is an unpleasant sensation which evokes the desire
to scratch-Samuel Hafenreffer,Nosodochium,in Quo
Cutis,1660
n  Itching – exteroceptive sensation elicited only
by stimulation of the skin or skin-to-mucosa
transitional surfaces.
n  Stratification of receptors limits itching to the
epidermis and epidermis/dermis transition.
Maximal sensitivity at the basal layer
n  Itching induces a scratch reflex
Pruritis
n  Fine unmyelinated C fibers
n  Also control pain, touch ,temperature
n  Subepidermal to lateral spinothalamic tract
thalamus sensory cortex
Definitions
n  Lotion
Oil mixed with water. Can be drying as it
may have alcohol
n  Ointment
Oil base. Greater penetration. More abrasive.
However, very moisturizing.
n  Cream
Water-soluble. Moderately moisturizing. Least
abrasive
Potency ranking of topical steroids
Class Generic Name
I Very high Clobetasol proprionate 0.05% ointment / cream
II High Betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% ointment
III Betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% cream
IV Mild Triamcinalone 0.1% cream
V Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% cream
VI Low Clobetasol butyrate 0.05% cream
VII Hydrocortisone 1% cream / ointment
Benign and Malignant Lesions of the Vulva
n  Non-neoplastic
n  Infectious
n  Neoplastic
Epithelial Vulvar Disease (ISSVD),2004
n  Nonepithelial disorders of the vulva
n  Lichen sclerosus
n  Sqamous cell hyperplasia
n  Other dermatoses
n  Mixed neoplastic and nonneoplastic disorders
n  Intraepithelial neoplasia
n  Squamous
n  Non-squamous
n  Invasive
Vitiligo
Vitiligo
n  Psoralen photochemotherapy ( PUVA)
n  Treatment with narrow band ultraviolet B
phototherapy
Seborrheic dermatitis
n  Common in
neonates
n  Cause unknown
n  Often occurs in
areas of sebaceous
glands
Seborrheic dermatitis
Contact
Dermatitis
Psoriasis
n  2% of population
n  Silver white plaques
n  Check elbows ,knees ,
forearms
Psoriasis
n  Rarely well demarcated
n  Can be annular
n  Steroids
Lichen Planus
An inflammatory, mucocutaneous eruption
with a distinctive pattern on:
- skin, scalp, nails
- mucous membranes - oral, genital, esophageal
Lichen Planus - Etiology
Unknown
? Autoimmune triggered by exogenous
antigens, possibly
- viral
- bacterial (superantigen)
- chemical
- drug
- trauma
Symptoms LP
n  irritation with burning and soreness
n  Can be very itchy, and scratching flares it
n  thickening of the vulva
n  dyspareunia
n  Symptoms depend on extent of disease - e.g.
when vagina is involved with erosions, there is
discharge and burning
Diagnosis LP
n  Look at rest of skin and mucous
membranes
n  Look in the mouth
n  Biopsy
- regular histopathology (H&E)
- immunofluorescence
Erosive Lichen Planus
Lichen Planus - histology
n  Basal cell
liquification
n  Subepidermal
lymphocyte
infiltration
Treatment LP
n  Treat secondary infection
n  Restore barrier function with Sitz bath
or tub bath 1- 2 times a day
n  Reduce inflammation with topical
superpotent corticosteroids
halobetasol or clobetasol 0.05%
ointment 1- 2 times a day
Treatment LP
n  For the vagina - hydrocortisone acetate foam
(80 mg) at night or in a compounded
suppository 100 mg
n  For localized disease consider intralesional
steroids
n  Consider dilators for vaginal narrowing
Severe LP
n  Oral Prednisone 1 - 1.5 mg / kg / day for 2 weeks
and tapering over 2-4 months
n  +/- Cyclosporine 4 mg per kg per day and continue
until the patient is clear
n  Plaquenil 200 mg bid and / or hydrocortisone
acetate vaginally
n  Doxycycline, metronidazole,
n  Acitretin,
n  Tacrolimus
Prognosis LP
1/3rd complete resolution
1/3rd significant resolution
1/3rd ongoing problems
Etiology of LS
n  Unknown
n  Multifactorial - genetic
n  - autoimmune
n  - environmental factors
n  NOTE: Often associated with autoimmune
conditions, e.g. thyroid disease, vitiligo, etc.
n  Familial cases have been reported
Lichen Sclerosus
n  A common chronic vulvar disease
n  An inflammatory skin condition
n  Prevalence 1 in 300 to 1 in 1,000
n  Most commonly found in middle-age
women, but it can be seen in very young
children and the elderly
n  Recognized familial association and certain
HLA subtypes occur more often in affected
families
Lichen sclerosus
n  Benign epithelial disorder
n  Epithelial thinning with edema and fibrosis
of dermis
n  Shrinkage and agglutination of labia
n  Typically does not involve vagina and
urethra
Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosis histology
n  Thin epithelium with
loss of rete edges
n  Hyperkeratosis, fibrin
deposition and loss of
vascularity
n  Chronic inflammatory
cell infiltrate of
lymphocytes in deeper
layer
Lichen sclerosis- treatment
n  High potency steroids
n  0.05% clobetasol propionate
n  Applied bid X 2-3 weeks for 12 weeks.
Resolution can take several months
n  Treat secondary infection
Lichen sclerosis-treatment cont’d
n  2% Testosterone ointment. Testosterone
propionate in sesame oil 100mg/ml mixed in
petrolatum base
n  2% Progesterone ointment 100mg in oil per
oz of aquaphor cream base
n  Topical Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment
Lichen sclerosis- treatment
n  Mineral oil , hydrogenated vegetable oil good
for symptomatic relief
n  Soaks in Sitz bath or Burows solution helpful
if used infrequently
n  Non-medicated moisturing soap
n  Cotton underwear
n  Avoid perfumes and scented pads
Lichen sclerosis- treatment
n  Vaginal dilators may reduce stenosis
n  3-9% of women with LS develop sqamous cell
carcinoma
Squamous cell hyperplasia
n  Chronic, intense itching that results in
repetitive scratching and rubbing
n  The skin responds by thickening
(lichenification). The thickening of the
skin is caused by the scratching
n  An itch-scratch-itch cycle starts and
perpetuates the problem
Squamous cell hyperplasia -Etiology
n  Develops in several itchy skin conditions:
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Contact dermatitis
Lichen sclerosus
n  Contact dermatitis can start this condition or
be the main long-term promoting factor
Squamous Cell Hyperplasia
n  Benign epithelial disorder
n  vulvar pruritus
n  localized nonspecific vulvar skin thickening
Squamous cell hyperplasia - histology
n  thick epithelium
n  broad rete ridges
n  no significant
inflammation
Treatment
n  Stop the itch-scratch-itch cycle
n  Sitz baths and soaks, no irritants
n  Reduce inflammation with superpotent steroids,
i.e., clobetasol or halobetasol ointment
- bid for two weeks,
- once a day for four weeks
n  Intralesional steroids if severe. 5 mg of
triamcinolone suspension in 2 ml of saline
subcutaneously
Lichen Sclerosus Lichen Planus SCH
Itch or burn Itch or burn Severe itch
Scars Scars No scarring
On the vulva On vulva and On the vulva
in vagina
Oral lesions
frequently seen
Nerve supply and sites
of steroid injection
Medical Denervation
n  0.1 ml 95% alcohol
Vulvar edema
Surgical denervation of the vulva
n  Under GA
n  Use Drains
Conclusion
n  Skin disorders not
uncommon
n  Rule out cancer
n  Biopsy essential for
diagnosis prior to
treatment
Conclusion cont’d
n  Soap
n  Underwear
n  Avoid public pools / baths
A dermatologic cliché is to dry wet lesions
(soaks and compresses) and moisturize
dry lesion (creams and ointments)
n  Rarely, medical and/or surgical denervation
may be necessary
Thank you

Benign vulvar disorders march 2012 ghatage

  • 1.
    Benign lesions ofthe vulva Dr Prafull Ghatage Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Canada March 2012
  • 2.
    Learning objectives n  Anatomyof the vulva n  Physiology of vulvar itching n  Definitions n  Classification – ISSVD n  Management
  • 4.
    Itch is anunpleasant sensation which evokes the desire to scratch-Samuel Hafenreffer,Nosodochium,in Quo Cutis,1660 n  Itching – exteroceptive sensation elicited only by stimulation of the skin or skin-to-mucosa transitional surfaces. n  Stratification of receptors limits itching to the epidermis and epidermis/dermis transition. Maximal sensitivity at the basal layer n  Itching induces a scratch reflex
  • 5.
    Pruritis n  Fine unmyelinatedC fibers n  Also control pain, touch ,temperature n  Subepidermal to lateral spinothalamic tract thalamus sensory cortex
  • 6.
    Definitions n  Lotion Oil mixedwith water. Can be drying as it may have alcohol n  Ointment Oil base. Greater penetration. More abrasive. However, very moisturizing. n  Cream Water-soluble. Moderately moisturizing. Least abrasive
  • 7.
    Potency ranking oftopical steroids Class Generic Name I Very high Clobetasol proprionate 0.05% ointment / cream II High Betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% ointment III Betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% cream IV Mild Triamcinalone 0.1% cream V Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% cream VI Low Clobetasol butyrate 0.05% cream VII Hydrocortisone 1% cream / ointment
  • 8.
    Benign and MalignantLesions of the Vulva n  Non-neoplastic n  Infectious n  Neoplastic
  • 9.
    Epithelial Vulvar Disease(ISSVD),2004 n  Nonepithelial disorders of the vulva n  Lichen sclerosus n  Sqamous cell hyperplasia n  Other dermatoses n  Mixed neoplastic and nonneoplastic disorders n  Intraepithelial neoplasia n  Squamous n  Non-squamous n  Invasive
  • 10.
  • 11.
    Vitiligo n  Psoralen photochemotherapy( PUVA) n  Treatment with narrow band ultraviolet B phototherapy
  • 12.
    Seborrheic dermatitis n  Commonin neonates n  Cause unknown n  Often occurs in areas of sebaceous glands
  • 13.
  • 14.
  • 15.
    Psoriasis n  2% ofpopulation n  Silver white plaques n  Check elbows ,knees , forearms
  • 16.
    Psoriasis n  Rarely welldemarcated n  Can be annular n  Steroids
  • 17.
    Lichen Planus An inflammatory,mucocutaneous eruption with a distinctive pattern on: - skin, scalp, nails - mucous membranes - oral, genital, esophageal
  • 18.
    Lichen Planus -Etiology Unknown ? Autoimmune triggered by exogenous antigens, possibly - viral - bacterial (superantigen) - chemical - drug - trauma
  • 19.
    Symptoms LP n  irritationwith burning and soreness n  Can be very itchy, and scratching flares it n  thickening of the vulva n  dyspareunia n  Symptoms depend on extent of disease - e.g. when vagina is involved with erosions, there is discharge and burning
  • 22.
    Diagnosis LP n  Lookat rest of skin and mucous membranes n  Look in the mouth n  Biopsy - regular histopathology (H&E) - immunofluorescence
  • 24.
  • 25.
    Lichen Planus -histology n  Basal cell liquification n  Subepidermal lymphocyte infiltration
  • 26.
    Treatment LP n  Treatsecondary infection n  Restore barrier function with Sitz bath or tub bath 1- 2 times a day n  Reduce inflammation with topical superpotent corticosteroids halobetasol or clobetasol 0.05% ointment 1- 2 times a day
  • 27.
    Treatment LP n  Forthe vagina - hydrocortisone acetate foam (80 mg) at night or in a compounded suppository 100 mg n  For localized disease consider intralesional steroids n  Consider dilators for vaginal narrowing
  • 28.
    Severe LP n  OralPrednisone 1 - 1.5 mg / kg / day for 2 weeks and tapering over 2-4 months n  +/- Cyclosporine 4 mg per kg per day and continue until the patient is clear n  Plaquenil 200 mg bid and / or hydrocortisone acetate vaginally n  Doxycycline, metronidazole, n  Acitretin, n  Tacrolimus
  • 29.
    Prognosis LP 1/3rd completeresolution 1/3rd significant resolution 1/3rd ongoing problems
  • 30.
    Etiology of LS n Unknown n  Multifactorial - genetic n  - autoimmune n  - environmental factors n  NOTE: Often associated with autoimmune conditions, e.g. thyroid disease, vitiligo, etc. n  Familial cases have been reported
  • 31.
    Lichen Sclerosus n  Acommon chronic vulvar disease n  An inflammatory skin condition n  Prevalence 1 in 300 to 1 in 1,000 n  Most commonly found in middle-age women, but it can be seen in very young children and the elderly n  Recognized familial association and certain HLA subtypes occur more often in affected families
  • 32.
    Lichen sclerosus n  Benignepithelial disorder n  Epithelial thinning with edema and fibrosis of dermis n  Shrinkage and agglutination of labia n  Typically does not involve vagina and urethra
  • 34.
  • 35.
  • 36.
  • 37.
    Lichen sclerosis histology n Thin epithelium with loss of rete edges n  Hyperkeratosis, fibrin deposition and loss of vascularity n  Chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate of lymphocytes in deeper layer
  • 38.
    Lichen sclerosis- treatment n High potency steroids n  0.05% clobetasol propionate n  Applied bid X 2-3 weeks for 12 weeks. Resolution can take several months n  Treat secondary infection
  • 39.
    Lichen sclerosis-treatment cont’d n 2% Testosterone ointment. Testosterone propionate in sesame oil 100mg/ml mixed in petrolatum base n  2% Progesterone ointment 100mg in oil per oz of aquaphor cream base n  Topical Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment
  • 40.
    Lichen sclerosis- treatment n Mineral oil , hydrogenated vegetable oil good for symptomatic relief n  Soaks in Sitz bath or Burows solution helpful if used infrequently n  Non-medicated moisturing soap n  Cotton underwear n  Avoid perfumes and scented pads
  • 41.
    Lichen sclerosis- treatment n Vaginal dilators may reduce stenosis n  3-9% of women with LS develop sqamous cell carcinoma
  • 42.
    Squamous cell hyperplasia n Chronic, intense itching that results in repetitive scratching and rubbing n  The skin responds by thickening (lichenification). The thickening of the skin is caused by the scratching n  An itch-scratch-itch cycle starts and perpetuates the problem
  • 43.
    Squamous cell hyperplasia-Etiology n  Develops in several itchy skin conditions: Atopic dermatitis (eczema) Contact dermatitis Lichen sclerosus n  Contact dermatitis can start this condition or be the main long-term promoting factor
  • 44.
    Squamous Cell Hyperplasia n Benign epithelial disorder n  vulvar pruritus n  localized nonspecific vulvar skin thickening
  • 48.
    Squamous cell hyperplasia- histology n  thick epithelium n  broad rete ridges n  no significant inflammation
  • 49.
    Treatment n  Stop theitch-scratch-itch cycle n  Sitz baths and soaks, no irritants n  Reduce inflammation with superpotent steroids, i.e., clobetasol or halobetasol ointment - bid for two weeks, - once a day for four weeks n  Intralesional steroids if severe. 5 mg of triamcinolone suspension in 2 ml of saline subcutaneously
  • 50.
    Lichen Sclerosus LichenPlanus SCH Itch or burn Itch or burn Severe itch Scars Scars No scarring On the vulva On vulva and On the vulva in vagina Oral lesions frequently seen
  • 51.
    Nerve supply andsites of steroid injection
  • 52.
  • 53.
    n  0.1 ml95% alcohol
  • 54.
  • 55.
    Surgical denervation ofthe vulva n  Under GA n  Use Drains
  • 56.
    Conclusion n  Skin disordersnot uncommon n  Rule out cancer n  Biopsy essential for diagnosis prior to treatment
  • 57.
    Conclusion cont’d n  Soap n Underwear n  Avoid public pools / baths A dermatologic cliché is to dry wet lesions (soaks and compresses) and moisturize dry lesion (creams and ointments) n  Rarely, medical and/or surgical denervation may be necessary
  • 58.