scholarly journals Comparison of Vaginal Microbiota in Gynecologic Cancer Patients Pre- and Post-Radiation Therapy and Healthy Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. S229
Author(s):  
D.W. Bruner ◽  
D. Tsementzi ◽  
A. Pena Gonzales ◽  
J. Bai ◽  
Y.J. Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Post Radiation

scholarly journals Comparison of vaginal microbiota in gynecologic cancer patients pre‐ and post‐radiation therapy and healthy women

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3714-3724
Author(s):  
Despina Tsementzi ◽  
Angela Pena‐Gonzalez ◽  
Jinbing Bai ◽  
Yi‐Juan Hu ◽  
Pretesh Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Post Radiation

scholarly journals Changes in the Vaginal Microbiome and Associated Toxicities Following Radiation Therapy for Gynecologic Cancers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Despina Tsementzi ◽  
Rebecca Meador ◽  
Tony Eng ◽  
Pretesh Patel ◽  
Joseph Shelton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Vaginal Symptoms ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Symptom Persistence

Postmenopausal women often suffer from vaginal symptoms associated with atrophic vaginitis. Additionally, gynecologic cancer survivors may live for decades with additional, clinically significant, persistent vaginal toxicities caused by cancer therapies, including pain, dyspareunia, and sexual dysfunction. The vaginal microbiome (VM) has been previously linked with vaginal symptoms related to menopause (i.e. dryness). Our previous work showed that gynecologic cancer patients exhibit distinct VM profiles from healthy women, with low abundance of lactobacilli and prevalence of multiple opportunistic pathogenic bacteria. Here we explore the association between the dynamics and structure of the vaginal microbiome with the manifestation and persistence of vaginal symptoms, during one year after completion of cancer therapies, while controlling for clinical and sociodemographic factors. We compared cross-sectionally the vaginal microbiome in 134 women, 64 gynecologic patients treated with radiotherapy and 68 healthy controls, and we longitudinally followed a subset of 52 women quarterly (4 times in a year: pre-radiation therapy, 2, 6 and 12 months post-therapy). Differences among the VM profiles of cancer and healthy women were more pronounced with the progression of time. Cancer patients had higher diversity VMs and a variety of vaginal community types (CTs) that are not dominated by Lactobacilli, with extensive VM variation between individuals. Additionally, cancer patients exhibit highly unstable VMs (based on Bray-Curtis distances) compared to healthy controls. Vaginal symptoms prevalent in cancer patients included vaginal pain (40%), hemorrhage (35%), vaginismus (28%) and inflammation (20%), while symptoms such as dryness (45%), lack of lubrication (33%) and dyspareunia (32%) were equally or more prominent in healthy women at baseline. However, 24% of cancer patients experienced persistent symptoms at all time points, as opposed to 12% of healthy women. Symptom persistence was strongly inversely correlated with VM stability; for example, patients with persistent dryness or abnormally high pH have the most unstable microbiomes. Associations were identified between vaginal symptoms and individual bacterial taxa, including: Prevotella with vaginal dryness, Delftia with pain following vaginal intercourse, and Gemillaceaea with low levels of lubrication during intercourse. Taken together our results indicate that gynecologic cancer therapy is associated with reduced vaginal microbiome stability and vaginal symptom persistence.

Radiographers relationship with head and neck cancer patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Egestad
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Post Radiation ◽  
Fear And Anxiety

AbstractIntroductionHead and neck cancer patients face many demanding events, such as radiation therapy, which can cause anxiety and uncertainty. Studies report that relevant information decreases emotional distress and inadequate communication can lead to increased fear and anxiety. There is a lack of research that describes what radiographers do when they meet the patients. The aim is to explain what radiographers’ do that may lead to less anxiety and uncertainty for head and neck cancer patients.MethodThis study was conducted via qualitative interviews and took on a phenomenological, hermeneutic approach. Eleven head and neck cancer patients were interviewed 1-month post radiation therapy.ResultsSuccessful meetings are characterised by the radiographer smiling, being pleasant, referring to the patient by their name, informing the patient thoroughly, asking open questions and answering questions.ConclusionHead and neck cancer patients feel vulnerable and need the radiographer to create a safe atmosphere when they undergo treatment. Then radiographers reduce uncertainty, provide emotional support, reduce loneliness, provide information and create alliances.

scholarly journals Radiotherapy Response of Cervical Cancer Patients at a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Indonesia

2017 ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Hariyono Winarto ◽  
Nana Supriana
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Tumor Diameter ◽  
Cancer Stage ◽  
Post Radiation ◽  
Grade 3

Objective: To investigate the response of radiotherapy and related clinicopathologic characterictics on cervical cancer patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study. Subjects were patients diagnosed with cervical cancer stage IIA-IIIB who had undergone radiation therapy based on standard protocol in our hospital, during the period of January 2014 to December 2015. The clinical factors ofthose patients, such as age, Body Mass Index, blood pressure, hemoglobin level, blood leucocyte count, serum albumin, largest tumor diameter, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, as well as pathologic characteristic, i.e histopathology and grading were recorded. During radiation protocol until 3months post radiation, we also noted any side effects of gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, and hematologic. Evaluation of radiotherapy response was based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST).  Results: A total of 123 subjects were enrolled in this study. 84 cases or 68.29% was complete response, 30 cases or 24.39% was partial response, 6 cases or 4.88% was stabile response, and 3 cases or 2.44% was progressive. Based on gastrointestinal side effect, there was no side effect or grade 0 on 99 cases (80.49%), grade 1 on 20 cases (16.26%), grade 2 on 4 cases (3.25%), grade 3 on 0 case (0%). Based on side effect of genitourinary, there was no side effect or grade 0 on 105 cases (85.37%), grade 1 on 17 cases (13.82%), grade 2 on 1 case (0.81%), grade 3 on 0 case (0%). Based on hematologic side effects, there was no side effecton 108 cases (87.80%), grade 1 on 15 cases (12.20%), grade 2 on 0 case (0%), grade 3 on 0 case (0%). Largest tumor diameter was statistically significant, with p=0.036 (RR 2.64 (1.07-6.56)). Conclusion: The majority of definitive-curative radiotherapy response on cervical cancer stage IIA-IIIB was complete (68.29%). Acute side effects involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and hematologic system were commonly can be tolerable during and 3 months post radiation therapy. Clinicopathologic characteristics significantly associated with the complete response of radiotherapy was the largest tumor diameter. Keywords: largest tumor diameter, radiation response, radiationside effect

Does Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Benefit Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Treated With Radiation Therapy?

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 517-521
Author(s):  
Susan E. Langmore
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Post Radiation

Purpose This article is a review of the evidence for using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as a treatment for dysphagia when given to head and neck cancer patients with dysphagia secondary to radiation therapy. Method The rationale for using NMES for dysphagia in this population will be summarized. Recent studies will then be reviewed for evidence of efficacy of NMES when given to patients post–radiation therapy or during radiation therapy. Conclusion Evidence to date suggests no benefit from electrical stimulation when used therapeutically postradiotherapy. There are too few studies to date that have looked at NMES during radiotherapy to make any conclusions. Further studies are warranted.

Sexual health inquiry preferences among gynecologic cancer patients after radiation therapy.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 87-87
Author(s):  
Gerard Edward Heath ◽  
Pamela Fairchild ◽  
Mitchell Berger ◽  
Anagha Tolpadi ◽  
Christina Chapman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Gynecologic Cancers

87 Background: Following radiation therapy (RT), gynecologic oncology patients report high rates of sexual dysfunction. However, little is known regarding communication of sexual health among these patients and their healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to assess the beliefs/attitudes of patients regarding sexual history taking. Methods: Survey results were obtained from 75 women who presented for follow up care for gynecologic cancers in the radiation oncology department. The surveys assessed patient beliefs about sexual health and its impact on overall quality of life, the role practitioners should play in obtaining an accurate sexual history, and preferences and level of embarrassment regarding sexual history collection. Overall level of sexual functioning was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Chi-squared tests were used to analyze categorical variables and logistic regression modeling was used to predict agreement with survey statements. Results: Most subjects were white and married with a mean FSFI score of 9.9 [(SD = 10.3) sexual dysfunction is defined as < 26.5]. 78.7% agreed that sexual function is an important component of overall health, and only 12.0% reported embarrassment about discussing their sexual health with healthcare providers. 62.79% agreed that medical providers should take a sexual history on a regular basis. However, 58.7% and 22.7% of women report never or almost never being asked about their sexual health by their primary care physician or Ob/Gyn, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of women expressed a preference to have a female provider obtain their sexual health history. Conclusions: Gynecologic cancer patients s/p RT report low sexual function scores. A majority agree that sexual function is essential to overall health. They report little embarrassment regarding discussions of sexual health, yet, note limited discussion about the topic with their healthcare providers. This work highlights the need for improvements in communication about sexual health. We suggest that healthcare providers caring for women with gynecologic cancers should more regularly inquire about their patients’ sexual health and function.

scholarly journals Lower Extremity Lymphedema in Gynecologic Cancer Patients: Propensity Score Matching Analysis of External Beam Radiation versus Brachytherapy

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Ick Chang ◽  
Hyun-Cheol Kang ◽  
Hong-Gyun Wu ◽  
Hak Jae Kim ◽  
Seung Hyuck Jeon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Laparoscopic Surgery ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
External Beam Radiation ◽  
External Beam ◽  
Beam Radiation

The goal of this study is to compare the risk of lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) between pelvic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and vaginal brachytherapy, and to identify risk factors for LEL in gynecologic cancer patients treated with adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) after radical surgery. A total of 263 stage I–III gynecologic cancer patients who underwent adjuvant RT were retrospectively reviewed. One-to-one case-matched analysis was conducted with propensity scores generated from patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Using the risk factors found in this study, high- and low-risk groups were identified. With a median follow-up of 36.0 months, 35 of 263 (13.3%) patients developed LEL. In multivariate analysis, laparoscopic surgery (HR 2.548; p = 0.024), harvesting more than 30 pelvic lymph nodes (HR 2.246; p = 0.028), and para-aortic lymph node dissection (PALND, HR 2.305; p = 0.014) were identified as independent risk factors for LEL. After propensity score matching, the LEL incidence of the brachytherapy group was significantly lower than the EBRT group (p = 0.025). In conclusion, high-risk patients with risk factors such as laparoscopic surgery, harvesting more than 30 pelvic lymph nodes, PALND, and adjuvant pelvic EBRT require closer observation for LEL.

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