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Colposcopic terminology of the vulva
In the attempt to unify the nomenclature for the variety of vulvar diseases the International Society to the Study of Vulvar Disease (ISSVD), a multidisciplinary association which among the other specialities, includes dermatologists, pathologists and gynecologists, has proposed in 1990 the system for classification of vulvar lesions. This classification was supplemented in 1993. ISSVD introduced the term "non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of skin and mucosa" to include Lichen sclerosis, Squamous cell hyperplasia and other dermatoses and VIN to include atypias and carcinoma in situ. However, the term "non-neoplastic epithelial disorder" causes another confusion since it may coexist with neoplastic lesions. Therefore, the Terminology Committee of the ISVVD has modified it in November 1997. Into "non-neoplastic and inflammatory disorders of the vulva to include the more common disorders that involve vulva. In 2003 and 2006 the terminology was amended by classification of vulvar dermatoses and vulvodynia. The latest 2011 ISSVD terminology and classification of vulvar dermatological disorders was published in 2012.
This terminology however was not easy to apply by clinicians who tried to use it for reporting of patterns recognized during clinical or colposcopic examination, because it did not include pattern recognition terminology. This was the reason why International federation for colposcopy and cervical pathology (IFCPC) set up the committee to establish the terminology of vulvar conditions.
In 2011 IFCPC presented the clinical and colposcopic terminology of the vulva (including the anus). It differs from past terminologies in that it includes colposcopic patterns and anal colposcopy.
This terminology includes basic definitions and normal findings that are important for the clinician lacking experience with management of vulvar disease. It also introduces definitions for abnormal findings recently accepted by the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease and includes patterns to identify malignancy.
IFCPC 2011 terminology of the vulva is part of a comprehensive terminology of the lower genital tract and allowing for standardization of nomenclature by colposcopists, clinicians, and researchers taking care of women with lesions in these areas.
Reference:
Bornstein J, Sideri M, Tatti S, Walker P, Prendiville W, Haefner HK For the Nomenclature Committee of the International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy 2011 Terminology of the Vulva of the International Federation for Cervical Pathology and ColposcopyJournal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, Volume 16, Number 3, 2012, 290-295
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