Pelvic Radiation Therapy Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Review of Current Modalities and Recent Treatment Advances

Varytė, Guoda; Bartkevičienė, Daiva

doi:10.3390/medicina57040336

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Pelvic Radiation Therapy Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Review of Current Modalities and Recent Treatment Advances

by

Guoda Varytė

^*

and

Daiva Bartkevičienė

Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Medicina 2021, 57(4), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040336

Submission received: 8 March 2021 / Revised: 26 March 2021 / Accepted: 29 March 2021 / Published: 1 April 2021

(This article belongs to the Section Obstetrics and Gynecology)

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Abstract

Radiation-induced vaginal stenosis (VS) is a common side effect of pelvic radiotherapy (RT). RT-induced VS may have various negative effects on women’s quality of life, in particular dyspareunia, decreased vaginal lubrication and difficulties in sexual intercourse. This narrative review provides the aspects of RT-induced VS pathogenesis, incidence, evaluation and associated risk factors. Available treatment modalities are discussed in the article, putting the focus on preliminary, although promising, experience in the use of hyaluronic acid and laser therapy in cancer survivors after pelvic RT.

Keywords: vaginal stenosis; pelvic radiotherapy; vaginal dilation therapy; hyaluronic acid; laser therapy

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MDPI and ACS Style

Varytė, G.; Bartkevičienė, D. Pelvic Radiation Therapy Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Review of Current Modalities and Recent Treatment Advances. Medicina 2021, 57, 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040336

AMA Style

Varytė G, Bartkevičienė D. Pelvic Radiation Therapy Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Review of Current Modalities and Recent Treatment Advances. Medicina. 2021; 57(4):336. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040336

Chicago/Turabian Style

Varytė, Guoda, and Daiva Bartkevičienė. 2021. "Pelvic Radiation Therapy Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Review of Current Modalities and Recent Treatment Advances" Medicina 57, no. 4: 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040336

APA Style

Varytė, G., & Bartkevičienė, D. (2021). Pelvic Radiation Therapy Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Review of Current Modalities and Recent Treatment Advances. Medicina, 57(4), 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040336

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Pelvic Radiation Therapy Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Review of Current Modalities and Recent Treatment Advances

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