Clinical and Psychological Outcomes of the Use of Vaginal Dilators After Gynaecological Brachytherapy: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensions of the vaginal canal in patients undergoing gynaecological brachytherapy and the effect of the use of vaginal dilators (VD) used in the follow-up of pelvic physiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 88 patients were randomly allocated to the control group (CG) and intervention group (IG). Three evaluations were performed: pre-brachytherapy, post-brachytherapy and follow-up of 3 months. The CG received standard guidance from the health team while the IG was instructed to use VD for 3 months. The dimensions of the vaginal canal (main outcome) were defined by the length of the vagina (centimetres), width (number of full clockwise turns of the opening thread of a gynaecological speculum) and area (defined by the size of the VD). Quality of life and pelvic floor (PF) functionality were also evaluated. RESULTS: There was no effect of the VD on vaginal length, width and area among the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. However, in the analysis stratified by adhesion, the CG had a significant decrease in the vaginal area. PF was predominantly hypoactive throughout the follow-up. Quality of life improved in both groups, but the reduction of constipation, vaginal dryness and stress urinary incontinence manifested only in the IG. CONCLUSION: The use of VD did not alter the dimensions of the vaginal canal within the first 3 months after the end of radiotherapy treatment. However, there was a large sample loss during follow-up so studies with a larger sample number and longer follow-up time need to be conducted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03090217.

O significado da dor para mulheres em braquiterapia ginecológica: abordagem fenomenológica na consulta de enfermagem / El significado del dolor para las mujeres en la braquiterapia ginecológica: enfoque fenomenológico en la consulta de enfermería / The meaning of pain for women in gynecological brachytherapy: phenomenological approach in nursing consultation

Objetivo: Identificar a percepção da dor para mulheres em braquiterapia ginecológica na consulta de enfermagem. Método: Estudo qualitativo, realizado entre fevereiro a novembro de 2012, apoiado na abordagem da Fenomenologia Sociológica Compreensiva de Alfred Schutz. Treze mulheres participaram, maiores de dezoito anos, submetidas à braquiterapia ginecológica de dois serviços de radioterapia localizados no Rio de Janeiro e outro em São Paulo. Resultados: Uma característica que sobressaiu a partir dos depoimentos se referiu à dor na braquiterapia ginecológica, em que as mulheres revelaram o anseio por superá-la. Conclusão: Tal anseio independe da idade e do grau de instrução, é comum a todas e oriundo do vivido com o câncer. O que modifica é a maneira como se apresenta e a sua intensidade, que variam conforme a singularidade de cada sujeito

Objetivo: Identificar la percepción del dolor para las mujeres en braquiterapia ginecológica en la consulta de enfermería. Método: Estudio cualitativo, realizado de febrero a noviembre de 2012, a favor del enfoque de la fenomenología sociológica Integral de Alfred Schutz. Los participantes fueron trece las mujeres mayores de dieciocho años sometidos a la braquiterapia ginecológica dos servicios de radioterapia ubicadas en Río de Janeiro y otro en Sao Paulo. Resultados: Una característica que se destacó de los estados mencionados dolor en la braquiterapia ginecológica, en el que las mujeres revelan el deseo de superación. Conclusión: Este deseo es independiente de la edad y nivel de educación, es común a todos y procedentes de los vivos con el cáncer. Lo que cambia es la forma en que se presenta y su intensidad, que varían de acuerdo a la singularidad de cada sujeto

Objective: The study's goal has been to identify the perception of pain for women in gynecological brachytherapy in nursing consultation. Methods: It a qualitative study, carried out from February to November 2012, supported in the approach of the Sociological Phenomenology Comprehensive Alfred Schutz. Participants were thirteen women over eighteen years submitted to gynecological brachytherapy two radiotherapy services located in Rio de Janeiro and another in Sao Paulo. Results: One characteristic that emerged from the statements referred to pain in gynecological brachytherapy, in which women revealed the desire to overcoming it. Conclusion: This desire is independent of age and level of education; it is common to all and coming from the living with cancer. What changes is the way it is presented and its intensity, which vary according to the uniqueness of each subject

O custo da cura: vivências de conforto e desconforto de mulheres submetidas à braquiterapia / The healing cost: comfort and discomfort experiences of women undergoing brachytherapy / El costo de la curación: experiencias de comodidad e incomodidad de mujeres sometidas a la braquiterapia

Objetivo: Descrever as vivências de conforto e desconforto de mulheres que se submeteram à braquiterapia para tratamento de câncer do colo uterino. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido em 2013, embasado na Teoria do Conforto de Kolcaba e realizado por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com oito mulheres que concluíram o tratamento há, no mínimo, seis meses. Resultados: Sobressaíram os seguintes desconfortos: dor do procedimento e dos efeitos pós-tratamento, no contexto físico; medo do desconhecido e do sofrimento, falta de acompanhante, estresse por sentir-se constrangida durante o tratamento, baixa autoestima e trauma psicológico pós-terapia, no contexto psicoespiritual. As medidas de conforto consistiram no diálogo com o profissional, administração de medicações e uso da fé e espiritualidade. Conclusão: Os resultados oferecem subsídios para a prática de profissionais de saúde em relação aos confortos e desconfortos que merecem ser alvo de intervenções na assistência à mulher com câncer.

Objective: To describe the experiences of comfort and discomfort in women who underwent brachytherapy for the treatmentof cervical cancer. Methods: Qualitative study carried out in 2013, based on Kolcaba comfort theory and conducted throughsemi-structured interviews with eight women who have completed treatment, at least, six months ago. Results: The followingdiscomforts stood out: pain in the procedure and in the post-treatment effects, in the physical context; fear of the unknown andsuffering; lack of a companion; stress due to embarrassment during treatment; low self-esteem; and post-therapy psychologicaltrauma, in the psycho-spiritual context. Comfort measures consisted in dialogue with the professional, medication managementand use of faith and spirituality. Conclusion: The results provide support for the practice of health professionals in relation tocomfort and discomfort that deserve to be the target of intervention in terms of the assistance to women with cancer.

Objetivo: Describir la experiencia de comodidad e incomodidad en mujeres que se sometieron a la braquiterapia para tratarel cáncer de cuello uterino. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo realizado en 2013, basado en la teoría de comodidade de Kolcabay realizado con ocho mujeres que completaron el tratamiento hace por lo menos seis meses. Resultados: Se destacan lasincomodidades: dolor del procedimiento y de los efectos después del tratamiento, en el contexto físico; miedo a lo desconocidoy al sufrimiento, el estrés por sentirse avergonzada durante el tratamento y baja autoestima y trauma psicológico después dela terapia, en el contexto psicoespiritual. Las medidas para sentirse confortables consistieron en el diálogo com el profesional,administración de medicamentos y el uso de la fe y la espiritualidad. Conclusiones: Los resultados proporcionan subsídiospara la práctica de los profesionales de la salud relacionada con las comodidades e incomodidades que merecen intervencionesen la atención de las mujeres con cáncer.

Burden of focal cryoablation versus brachytherapy versus active surveillance in the treatment of very low-risk prostate cancer: a preliminary head-to-head comprehensive assessment.

Focal cryoablation (FC), brachytherapy (B) and active surveillance (AS) were offered to patients diagnosed with very low-risk prostate cancer (VLRPC) in an equal access protocol. Comprehensive validated self-report questionnaires accessed patients' erectile (IIEF-5) and voiding (IPSS) functions, Beck scales measured anxiety (BAI), hopelessness (BHS) and depression (BDI), SF-36 reflected patients' quality of life added to the emotional thermometers including five visual analogue scales (distress, anxiety, depression, anger and need for help). Kruskal-Wallis or ANOVA tests and Spearman's correlations were obtained among groups and studied variables. Thirty patients were included, median follow-up 18 months (15-21). Those on AS (n = 11) were older, presented higher hopelessness (BHS) and lower general health perceptions (SF-36) scores than patients opting for FC (n = 10) and B (n = 9), P = 0.0014, P = 0.0268 and P = 0.0168 respectively. Patients on B had higher IPSS scores compared to those under FC and AC, P = 0.0223. For all 30 included patients, Spearman's correlation (rs ) was very strong between BHS and general health perceptions (rs  = -0.800, P < 0.0001), and weak/moderate between age and BHS (rs  = 0.405, P = 0.026) and age and general health perceptions (rs  = -0.564, P = 0.001). The sample power was >60%. To be considered in patients' counselling and care, current study supports the hypothesis that even VLRPC when untreated undermines psychosocial domains.

Psychological repercussions related to brachytherapy treatment in women with gynecological cancer: analysis of production from 1987 to 2007: [review] / Repercusiones psicológicas relacionadas al tratamiento de braquiterapia en mujeres con cáncer ginecológico: un análisis de la producción de 1987 a 2007: [revisión] / Repercussões psicológicas relacionadas ao tratamento de braquiterapia em mulheres com câncer ginecológico: análise da produção de 1987 a 2007: [revisão]

One of the radiotherapeutic modalities for gynecological cancer treatment is brachytherapy, characterized by the placement of radioactive materials near the tumor. This treatment can bring side effects for patients. Due to the emotional issues involved, the objective of this research was to apprehend studies about psychological repercussions related to brachytherapy treatment in women with gynecological cancer, through a literature review. The results revealed an embryionic production, with only one study produced in Brazil. A higher concentration of studies was found in the Nursing area. Research focused on psychosocial repercussions, attempting to understand the patients' experiences before, during and after treatment, evidencing physical and psychological consequences that affect their quality of life. It is important to consider the expansion of this production through psychological research that furthers the comprehension about the experience of women submitted to brachytherapy.

Una de las modalidades de radioterapia para el tratamiento del cáncer ginecológico es la braquiterapia, caracterizada por la colocación de materiales radioactivos junto al tumor. Esta terapéutica puede traer efectos colaterales a los pacientes. Pensando en las cuestiones emocionales, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo, a través de la revisión de la literatura, revisar los estudios que se refiriesen a las repercusiones psicológicas relacionadas al tratamiento de braquiterapia en mujeres con cáncer ginecológico. Los resultados revelaron una producción embrionaria, con apenas un trabajo producido en Brasil. Hubo una mayor concentración de estudios en el área de Enfermería. Los trabajos se centraron en las repercusiones psicosociales, buscando comprender la experiencia de las pacientes antes, durante, y después del término de la aplicación del tratamiento, lo que colocó en evidencia consecuencias físicas y psicológicas que afectan la calidad de vida. Es importante pensar en un incremento de esta producción con investigaciones psicológicas que profundicen la comprensión de la vivencia de mujeres sometidas a la braquiterapia.

Uma das modalidades radioterápicas para tratamento do câncer ginecológico é a braquiterapia, caracterizada pela colocação de materiais radioativos junto ao tumor. Essa terapêutica pode trazer efeitos colaterais às pacientes. Pensando nas questões emocionais, este trabalho objetivou, através de revisão de literatura, apreender estudos que se referissem a repercussões psicológicas relacionadas ao tratamento de braquiterapia em mulheres com câncer ginecológico. Os resultados revelaram produção embrionária, com apenas um trabalho produzido no Brasil. Houve maior concentração de estudos na área de enfermagem. Os trabalhos centraram-se nas repercussões psicossociais, buscando compreender a experiência das pacientes antes da aplicação, durante essa, e após o término do tratamento, evidenciando conseqüências físicas e psicológicas afetando a qualidade de vida. É importante pensar no incremento dessa produção com pesquisas psicológicas que aprofundem a compreensão da vivência de mulheres submetidas à braquiterapia.

Psychological repercussions related to brachytherapy treatment in women with gynecological cancer: analysis of production from 1987 to 2007.

One of the radiotherapeutic modalities for gynecological cancer treatment is brachytherapy, characterized by the placement of radioactive materials near the tumor. This treatment can bring side effects for patients. Due to the emotional issues involved, the objective of this research was to apprehend studies about psychological repercussions related to brachytherapy treatment in women with gynecological cancer, through a literature review. The results revealed an embryionic production, with only one study produced in Brazil. A higher concentration of studies was found in the Nursing area. Research focused on psychosocial repercussions, attempting to understand the patients' experiences before, during and after treatment, evidencing physical and psychological consequences that affect their quality of life. It is important to consider the expansion of this production through psychological research that furthers the comprehension about the experience of women submitted to brachytherapy.

Vivências de mulheres submetidas à braquiterapia: compreensão existencial / Experiences of females when brachytherapy treatment has been undertaken: existential understanding

Neste estudo, busquei compreender as vivências de mulheres portadoras de câncer uterino antes de submeterem ao tratamento braquiterápico. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa embasada na fenomenologia existencial de Martin Heidegger que possibilitou a apreensão dos momentos vividos por esses seres. Para participar dessa pesquisa, procurei por mulheres que haviam iniciado algum tipo de tratamento para câncer uterino. Selecionei aquelas que se submeteram à radioterapia em uma clínica de radioterapia situada no noroeste do Paraná, e, a posteriori, seriam submetidas à braquiterapia no período compreendido entre os meses de abril a maio de 2006. Foram entrevistadas quatro mulheres em um hospital especialista em oncologia no norte do Paraná, antes de iniciarem a braquiterapia. Para buscar os discursos dos sujeitos, utilizei a seguinte questão norteadora: "O que você sente antes de vivenciar a braquiterapia?" Da interpretação emergiram três temáticas: O ser-com-o-outro inautêntico no convívio do hospital; angústia ante o desconhecimento do tratamento; religiosidade: o caminho da esperança. Os resultados obtidos revelam a importância do cuidado holístico ao Ser que vivencia esta facticidade, pois, muitas vezes, a subjetividade do cuidado fica absorvida pela massificação das regras e normas institucionais.

Experiences of females with uterine cancer have been analyzed prior to brachytherapy treatment. The qualitative research has been foregrounded on Martin Heideggerïs existential phenomenology which favors the understanding of instances experienced by the patients. Females who had already initiated some type of treatment for uterine cancer were investigated, although only those undertaken radiotherapy in a specific radiotherapy clinic in the northwestern section of the state of Paraná/Brazil, have been selected. They would later have to undergo brachytherapy treatment which occurred between April and May 2006. Four females were interviewed in an oncology hospital in the north of the state of Paraná, Brazil, prior to brachytherapy treatment. The following question was asked to elicit the subjectsï discourse: "What are your feelings prior to brachytherapy?" Three themes were categorized: the non-authentic being-with-the-other in the hospital; anxiety in the face of the unknown therapy; religiosity or the way to hope. Results show the importance of holistic care to the person experiencing the facts since the subjectivity of care is absorbed by the huge number of rules and institutional norms.

Resumen: En este estudio, busqué comprender las vivencias de mujeres portadoras de cáncer uterino antes de someterse al tratamiento braquiterápico. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa embasada en la fenomenología existencial de Martín Heidegger que posibilitó la aprensión de los momentos vividos por esos seres. Para participar de esa investigación, busqué por mujeres que habían iniciado algún tipo de tratamiento para cáncer uterino. Seleccioné aquellas que se sometieron a la radioterapia en una clínica de radioterapia situada en el noroeste de Paraná, y, después, serían sometidas a braquiterapia en el período comprendido entre los meses de abril y mayo de 2006. Fueron encuestadas cuatro mujeres en un hospital especialista en oncología en el norte del Paraná, antes de iniciar la braquiterapia. Para buscar los discursos de los sujetos, utilicé la pregunta clave: "¿Qué siente usted antes de vivenciar la braquiterapia?" De la interpretación emergieron tres temáticas: El ser-con-el-otro inauténtico en el convivencia del hospital; angustia frente al desconocimiento del tratamiento; religiosidad: el camino de la esperanza. Los resultados obtenidos enseñaron la importancia del cuidado holístico al Ser que vivencia esta fatalidad, pues, muchas veces, la subjetividad del cuidado queda absorbida por la masificación de las reglas y normas institucionales.

Cosmetic outcome of breast conservative treatment for early stage breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cosmetic outcome of breast conservative therapy and to examine the degree of agreement between the patients' and oncologists' ratings. We also analyze the influence of several factors on cosmesis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively evaluated 145 patients with primary breast cancer treated by local excision and radiotherapy between January 2000 and May 2001. Cosmetic outcome was evaluated by doctors and patients and was scored as excellent, good, fair or poor. RESULTS: 73% of patients rated cosmesis as excellent or good while the percentage was 71% when rated by radiation oncologists. The degree of cosmesis concordance evaluated by oncologists and patients was low (kappa = 0.3). In our study the variables which significantly influence on the cosmetic outcome were concomitant adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.04) and radiation therapy boost, either by electron beam or brachytherapy (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The cosmetic outcome of breast conserving therapy was good. There was a similar rating by the patient and radiation oncologist, but the level of concordance between patients and doctors was low. Factors that significantly influence the cosmesis appear to be concomitant adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy boost.

[Experiences of women in cesium brachytherapy]. / Vivência de mulheres submetidas à cesiomoldagem.

The objective of the present study was to determine the main difficulties and problems experienced by patients submitted to sealed internal radiotherapy as well as to provide guidance for nurses to better perceive the difficulties experienced by the patients and act as an element of support while giving care. The problems and difficulties observed and reported by the patients were mainly related to the impositions of treatment, such as isolation, prohibition of visits, hospitalization, bed confinement, restriction of movements, use of the intracavity system, measures of radiological protection, use of a delay bladder tube, and limited personal hygiene. Fear related to treatment and anesthesia, partial or absent orientation and skin lesions were the complaints voiced by most of the patients in the present study. The role of the nurse is important in planning nursing care in sealed internal radiotherapy, especially when nurses understand the problems and difficulties experienced by women submitted to this treatment.

Informational needs and selected variables in patients receiving brachytherapy.

The increasing use of brachytherapy in patients with cancer mandates that the informational needs of these patients are met. A nonrandomized sample of 22 patients undergoing brachytherapy participated in a study to determine (1) informational needs, (2) the degree to which patients prefer to be informed about and to participate in their medical care, and (3) the relationship between informational needs and selected variables. Most patients (86.4%) desired maximum information about their illness. The informational needs most frequently identified preimplant were how to manage side effects (54.5%), activity restrictions during implant (54.5%), pain management and comfort measures (54.5%), cause of current symptoms (54.5%), and how the implant could affect symptoms (54.5%). Postimplant needs included when to call the doctor (68%), possible side effects of treatment (64%), and how to manage side effects (63.6%). A significantly lower level of anxiety was found after the implant, compared to before the implant (p less than 0.005). A significant relationship was found between the number of informational needs and the stage of disease. Patients with advanced late disease (stages III and IV) had fewer informational needs than those with early disease (stages I and II), both before and after the implant (p less than 0.05). The results indicate that patients receiving brachytherapy have a variety of informational needs and generally prefer to be fully informed about their condition. The findings indicate possible content areas for educational programs and for counseling of patients undergoing brachytherapy.