The use of Plasmajet® in the treatment of Vulvar Intraepithelial
Neoplasia - results from 46 patients in a UK gynaecological cancer
centre: a retrospective cohort study.
Abstract
Objective: Vulval cancer account for 5% of gynaecological
malignancies worldwide with 1400 new cases diagnosed in the UK every
year. VIN is a premalignant condition that requires appropriate
identification and treatment to prevent progression to vulval cancer.
The standard treatment for VIN/vulval cancer is surgical and can result
in considerable morbidity, therefore alternative treatments have been
sought. Plasmajet ® is a surgical energy device that utilises
neutral argon plasma to ablate tissue. This UK-based study includes the
largest cohort of patients to date with VIN who have undergone Plasmajet
® treatment and attempts to lay a foundation for understanding
the impact of this novel treatment. Design: Single centre
retrospective observational study over ten-year study period.
Setting: Gynaecological Cancer Centre, London, England.
Population: All women with VIN 1-3 treated with Plasmajet®
between September 2014 and March 2024 inclusive. Methods: Data
on demographics, background, treatment, complications, and outcome, was
collected from electronic medical records and analysed using Microsoft
Excel. Main Outcome Measures: Treatment, complications, and
outcome. Results: Forty-six patients were included; the
majority had high-grade VIN; 18 patients (39%) had VIN 3, 12 patients
(26%) had VIN 2/3 and five patients (11%) had VIN 2. 127 Plasmajet
® treatments were administered; seven patients (15%) had
disease progression, 21 (46%) remain under active surveillance without
evidence of progression, 12 (26%) have been discharged with the
remaining lost to follow-up. Complication rates were 7%.
Conclusions: This study has shown the potential efficacy and
safety profile of Plasmajet ® in the largest cohort of patients
with VIN to date.