RESUMO
BACKGROUND: One of the side effects of anti-estrogen treatments in breast cancer survivors (BCSs), especially with aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment, is the frequent appearance of vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA). We aim to evaluate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of a new type of non-ablative Solid-State Vaginal Laser (SSVL) treatment in BCSs with VVA. METHODS: A total of 30 BCSs with a history of AI use and symptoms of VVA were treated with a non-ablative SSVL (LASEmaR 1500™-EUFOTON)in this non-randomized pilot study. The effects of the laser have been evaluated at baseline, 10 wk and 24 wk using a visual analogue scale (VAS), the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), the Vulvar Health Index (VuHI), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the EORTC QLQ-BR23, the Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI) and vaginal pH. RESULTS: At 10-week follow-up vs. baseline there were no statistically significant differences in FSFI, lubrication and EORTC QLQ-BR23. In all the subjective (dyspareunia, VHI, VuHI, FSFI, QLQ) and objective parameters (VMI and pH) there was a statistically significant improvement at the 6-month follow-up. Satisfaction was very high (4.7 out of 5), with 95.7% of patients being satisfied, more than or very satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of SSVL treatment of VVA and dyspareunia in BCSs after AI treatment suggest clinical improvement, without relevant side effects and with a high degree of satisfaction.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of endometrial polyps in obese asymptomatic pre and postmenopausal patients with breast cancer and to know if a baseline pretamoxifen endometrial assessment should be taken into consideration in these women at high risk. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 201 women with breast cancer. A diagnostic hysteroscopy was performed in all women. All formations suspected as polyps were removed. The prevalence of endometrial polyps was analyzed in all patients (n=182) and in premenopausal (n=49) and postmenopausal (n=118) women with estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer (BC) according to their body mass index (BMI) and other risk factors. RESULTS: Hysteroscopic evaluation was possible in 182 cases (90.5%). Of the total of women, 160 (87.9%) were ER(+)BC patients, 133 (73.1%) postmenopausal women and 41.5% were obese (BMI≥30kg/m(2)). Endometrial polyps were found in 52 cases (28.5%) (3 cases of simple hyperplasia harbored within a polyp). In premenopausal patients with ER(+)BC, there were no statistical differences in endometrial polyps according to their BMI (22.3% in non-obese women vs 31.7% in obese) while in all patients (26.4% in non-obese vs 44.0% in obese) and in postmenopausal women with ER(+)BC (25.9% in non-obese vs 48.6% in obese) there were statistical differences. In all women the relative risk (RR) of endometrial polyps in obese patients was 2.24 (1.01-4.83), in obese postmenopausal women with ER(+)BC was 2.75 (1.01-7.40) and in obese premenopausal patients with ER(+)BC was 1.42 (0.80-3.29). CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic women with breast cancer have a high prevalence of baseline subclinical endometrial polyps and it is very high in obese postmenopausal patients with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Therefore, there may be a future role for baseline pretamoxifen screening of some sort for the obese asymptomatic postmenopausal patient, especially if they are elderly and ER positive.