Dr. Nabil ELMAHDAWI
Oncologista
Outros autores: Ana-Maria Mihai, Gynecologists, National Institute for Mother and Child Health, Alessandrescu - Rusescu
Prospective case series study presenting the outcome bipolar non-ablative RF in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy
Objectives: Cancer is not only a leading cause of mortality, but also causes countless negative consequences related to sexual, mental and social functioning in both women and their partners. Among women who survived cancer, treatment consequences and sexual dysfunctions are a serious problem affecting sexual well-being among women. As the percentage of women surviving after malignancies increases, quality of life has become an important clinical issue. This article to present non-hormonal treatment for valvovaginal atophy.
Introduction: Cancer and cancer treatment has countless negative consequences; loss of sexual function leads to negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) and ranks 5th highest unmet need among cancer survivors. This prospective case series analysis presents the outcome and the improvement of the sexual function consequently the QOL after RF therapy in uterine cancer treatment induced VVA, using the validated tool of female sexual functioning index (FSFI) and QOL score (QOLS) analysis at 6 weeks.
Materials / method: Over a period of 12 months from June 2021, 35 adenocarcinoma uterine cancer survivors data of FSFI and QOLS were collected and studied before and after intravaginal and valval radiofrequency (RF) treatment, all cancer cases were treated radically with a curative intend as per European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Guidelines. RF was performed using bipolar non-ablative device with a
sterile purpose-made gynaecological applicator. Output frequency was set at 480 kHz and temperature during treatment did not exceed 40 Celsius degrees per session. The course delivered in 4 session.
Results: All 35 cases has shown mean improvement in the FSFI from 5.5 (4-7) points to 30 (28-34) points
reflecting to a better sexual function and an improvement in the QOL by 70% or more gaining 7 to 8 points in the QOLS was also observed at 6 weeks after treatment. There was no immediate or delayed adverse events observed to date.
Conclusion: From this prospective data presentation we can observe the use of fractionated bipolar non-ablative RF can provide a safe and non-hormonal remedy to cancer treatment induced VVA and sexual dysfunction in endometrial cancer survivors with a positive reflection on QOL. Randomised control trials would be recommended in this field.
