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Prospective study of vaginal dilator use adherence and efficacy following radiotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Vaginal stenosis (VS) after pelvic radiotherapy (RT) can impair long-term quality of life. We prospectively assessed adherence and efficacy of vaginal dilator (VD) use in women after pelvic RT.Women with gastrointestinal (n=63) and gynecologic (n=46) cancers self-reported use and VD size in monthly diaries for 12months after radiotherapy. Adherence was measured as actual VD use out of recommended times over 12months (3×/week×52weeks=156).Among 109 participants, aged 28-81years (median, 58years), mean percent adherence over 12months was 42% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36-48%). Adherence was highest in the first quarter (56%), but fell to 25% by the fourth. Disease type, treatment sequence, and chemotherapy were predictors of adherence (all P<.05). Eighty-two percent maintained pre-RT VD size at 12months; of 49% with a decrease in VD size at 1month post-RT, 71% returned to pre-RT VD size at 12months. Disease type, younger age, and increased adherence at 6months were associated with maintaining or returning to pre-RT size at 12months (all P?.05).VD use is effective in minimizing VS, but adherence at 12months was poor. Studies evaluating methods of improving adherence and determining the optimal frequency and duration of use are needed.

SUBMITTER: Law E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5028178 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Prospective study of vaginal dilator use adherence and efficacy following radiotherapy.

Law Ethel E Kelvin Joanne F JF Thom Bridgette B Riedel Elyn E Tom Ashlyn A Carter Jeanne J Alektiar Kaled M KM Goodman Karyn A KA

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology 20150708 1

<h4>Background and purpose</h4>Vaginal stenosis (VS) after pelvic radiotherapy (RT) can impair long-term quality of life. We prospectively assessed adherence and efficacy of vaginal dilator (VD) use in women after pelvic RT.<h4>Material and methods</h4>Women with gastrointestinal (n=63) and gynecologic (n=46) cancers self-reported use and VD size in monthly diaries for 12months after radiotherapy. Adherence was measured as actual VD use out of recommended times over 12months (3×/week×52weeks=156 ...[more]

PMID: 26164775

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Project description:This study's purpose is to develop a quantitative ultrasound technology to evaluate radiation-induced vaginal fibrosis. Radiation therapy (RT) is an important treatment modality for most gynecologic (GYN) malignancies. However, vaginal fibrosis is a common chronic side-effect, affecting 80% of women post vaginal or pelvic RT. Vaginal fibrosis leads to pain, sexual dysfunction, and poor quality of life.The authors propose a novel ultrasound approach that combines conventional B-mode imaging with Nakagami parameter imaging to quantitatively evaluate post-RT vaginal injury. From the B-mode image, vaginal wall thickness and echo intensity were calculated to capture the anatomy and echogenicity of the vaginal wall. From Nakagami imaging, two statistical parameters, Nakagami probability density function (PDF) and Nakagami shape, were computed to measure the concentration and arrangement of vaginal tissue microstructures. This novel ultrasound imaging concept was investigated in a pilot study of 12 patients, who were previously diagnosed and treated for endometrial cancer. The 12 participants were stratified into two groups: (1) the control group consisted of 6 patients who received surgery (hysterectomy) alone and (2) the post-RT group consisted of 6 patients who received surgery plus radiotherapy, with a follow-up time of 12-38 months. Each participant underwent one transvaginal ultrasound study (6 MHz). Three transverse images of the anterior vaginal wall were acquired in a 2 cm step from the apex (vaginal cuff) to the introitus (vagina opening). The vaginal wall thickness, echo intensity, Nakagami PDF, and Nakagami parameter were calculated to evaluate radiation-induced vaginal fibrosis.Both B-mode and Nakagami methods showed significant differences in parameters between the post-RT and nonirradiated vaginal walls. Compared with the control group, the vaginal wall thickness of the post-RT group increased by 153.2% (p = 0.002), the echo intensity increased by 11.6% (p = 0.017), the Nakagami PDF increased by 72.3% (p < 0.001), and the Nakagami shape valued increased by 33.0% (p = 0.028).Vaginal fibrosis appears to be associated with a thickened vaginal wall, higher echogenicity, as well as increased Nakagami PDF and shape parameters. This pilot study shows the authors' quantitative ultrasound approach combining B-mode and Nakagami imaging is a promising imaging method to evaluate vaginal fibrosis. This imaging method may be useful as physicians try to address vaginal toxicities and sexual dysfunction in women after radiotherapy for GYN malignancies.

Dataset Information

Prospective study of vaginal dilator use adherence and efficacy following radiotherapy.

Publications

Prospective study of vaginal dilator use adherence and efficacy following radiotherapy.

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