VIN 3

Hi Box of frogs,

I hope you are recovering well from your recent wide local excision. I had mine back in May, so if you have any questions please feel free to ask. 

Hello, how long were you in hospital for?

Hi Frumpy,

I was in for day procedure ….. how are things with you ? 

I'm waiting to see gynae after biopsy came back as VIN3. Feel sick to my stomach with worry. Does this mean I have cancer?

Hi Frumpy,

I hope you don’t mind me stopping by to say hello and welcome, although I’m sorry you find yourself here. VIN3 is a precancerous condition, so at this stage your biopsy results have come back as precancerous. I wish you the best of luck and feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

Thank you for replying. The gynae I saw thought it was lichen sclerosis initially but decided to do biopsy when I went back to see him. He said he never thought it would be VIN 3 and has now referred me to another gynae. I was so shocked at the "cancer" word, I never asked anything and was just desperate to get home. Now I can't sleep for reading the frightening stories of women having this and then finding cancer is all through their body. I keep crying and can't stop worrying.

Hi Frumpy,

Sorry for the delay in responding.

It sounds as though you are in good hands, your original gynae has most likely referred you to another gynae with better experience in this field. 

You may find this information on VIN helpful. It has information about VIN, the causes, symptoms and treatment. 

You’re not alone in panicking at hearing the word cancer and not asking any questions.  I think a lot of us panic and then think of a load of questions we wish we had asked when we get home. Do you have a specialist nurse? They are usually great at answering any questions. There is also the Macmillan support line  (0808 808 00 00) that you can call and speak to a specialist nurse. They offer a wealth of information and emotional support.

I too done my research and found all sorts of terrible stories, but there are also many positive stories. The positive ones are harder to find as we naturally reach out in a time if need and distress.

If there is anything I can help with then please do let me know.  

Take care,

Thank you for replying. I think it's because it's a rare disease and not a lot of people know about it that doesn't help. Also with the pandemic I haven't been able to see my GP to talk to her face to face. I paid to see a gynae privately as I'm still waiting for an NHS gynae appointment and that's been 15 weeks. I've had this "problem" since summer 2020 and has been on my mind all the time! I have telephone appointment this Thursday with my GP so that's a start I suppose. Thank you x

Hi Frumpy,

Sorry for the delay in coming back to you. 

The pandemic has certainly made things more difficult that’s for sure! I too reached the point of considering going private, but just as I made my mind up, my appointment with the NHS came though. 

Good luck with your GP appointment on Thursday. 

Hello Frumpy

I was diagnosed with VIN 3 and HPV in 2017. I had been having problems for years before that with severe itching. My GP first diagnosed Lichen Sclerosis and kept monitoring me, then after a few months found a wart like white lump on my vulva and referred me to a gynaecologist.

When I first heard the diagnosis I was shocked especially with hearing the words HPV as I associated that with a sexually transmitted disease and had been in the same relationship for over 20 years so was gobsmacked.

I had a wide local excision which identified VIN 3. Unfortunately I still have problems and now the itching has spread to the anal area and I’m waiting for an appointment to see my consultant as my last one was cancelled in May 2020 due to Covid. I expect I’m not a priority but hope that I don’t have to wait for years. I have thought about going private but really don’t have the money. It’s just a waiting game.

Its been a long four years and I’m still fighting it hopefully things will work out for you, good luck