Can an Educational Intervention Improve Compliance With Vaginal Dilator Use in Patients Treated With Radiation for a Gynecological Malignancy?

• DOI: 10.1097/igc.0b013e31824d7243
• Publication Date: 2012-05-01T06:35:49Z
• Authors: Alison H. Brand; Viet Do; Annie Stenlake
• Keywords: Dilator; External beam radiotherapy

To investigate whether an educational intervention would facilitate compliance with vaginal dilators and potentially reduce stenosis in women receiving radiotherapy as treatment for a gynecological malignancy.From 2002 to 2009, all patients undergoing pelvic (either external beam or brachytherapy) at our center of malignancies were educated about the use dilators. Sixty agreed participate prospective 12-month study evaluate use. The had structured regarding dilator Assessment was prospectively performed via questionnaires baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after completion radiotherapy. Data collected included patients' demographics, treatment, incidence stenosis, usage attitudes toward use.The median age 60 years. Primary disease site uterus (56.6%) cervix (40.0%). At months, 52% still using dilators, 35% least 2 3 times per week. Frequency greater those older than 50 years (P = 0.005), even adjusting sexual frequency, experiencing pain on examination < 0.001). It less frequent who sexually active 0.035). 11% flimsy adhesions 6.5% partial stenosis. No complete only independent predictor group hazard ratio 0.200 (95% confidence interval, 0.059-0.685), favoring surgery any reducing risk compared definitive radiation therapy alone.Our facilitates Surgery adjuvant (with without cisplatin sensitizer) may predict lower alone.