Effects of Local Laser Treatment on Vulvovaginal Atrophy Among Women with Breast Cancer: a Prospective Study with Long-term Follow-up

Overview

Journal Breast Cancer Res Treat

Specialty Oncology

Date 2021 Apr 23

PMID 33891298

Citations 12

Authors

Lucie Veron

Delphine Wehrer

Gisele Annerose-Zephir

Voichita Suciu

Suzette Delaloge

Barbara Pistilli

Dan Chaltiel

Patricia Pautier

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Women with breast cancer (BC) often suffer from severe vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) which ultimately leads to poor sexual and urinary quality of life. We conducted a prospective study among women with BC and VVA, in order to evaluate the long-term effect of laser therapy on VVA.

Methods: Women with BC and VVA were proposed to have fractional microablative CO laser therapy (MonaLisaTouch®, DEKA) once per month for 3 months. Efficacy of laser therapy was assessed at baseline, 6 months and 18 months after treatment, using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score, Ditrovie score and vaginal pH. A pap smear was also performed and the epithelial maturation pattern was noted. Paired statistical tests were used to compare results between baseline, 6 months and 18 months.

Results: 46 women with BC (median age [interquartile range] 56.5 years [47.0 - 59.4]) were included between May and October 2018. PH level slightly decreased over time (mean Δ at 18 months -0.3, SD = 0.7, p = 0.02) whereas maturation pattern on pap smear did not change. Sexual quality of life was significantly improved at 6 months and 18 months (mean Δ at 6 months 8.3, SD = 6.2 (p < 0.0001) and mean Δ at 18 months 4.3, SD = 8.4 (p = 0.01)). Ditrovie total score improved at 6 months (mean Δ -1.2, SD = 2.7, p = 0.01) but returned to baseline afterwards. Side effects were very mild. Three women developed low (2)- and high (1)-grade HPV-linked cervical lesions during follow-up.

Conclusion: Among women with BC, fractional microablative CO laser is effective on the long term on VVA symptoms and gynaecological quality of life.

Trial Registration Number: ID-RCB 2018-A01500-55.

Citing Articles

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Salinas Pena J, Tameish S, Guilarte Calzada C, Cavalle Busquets P Int J Womens Health. 2025; 17:571-584.

PMID: 40061287 PMC: 11887494. DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S486323.

Vaginal CO2 Fractional Laser in Women With Vaginal Atrophy: Medical Insights on Short- and Long-term Effects on Genitourinary Symptoms.

Ghanbari Z, Pesikhani M, Eftekhar T, Kazemi M, Akbari R, Parsapur M J Lasers Med Sci. 2025; 15():e59.

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Kershaw V, Jha S Int J Womens Health. 2024; 16:1909-1938.

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Vulvovaginal Atrophy Following Treatment for Oncogynecologic Pathologies: Etiology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options.

Narutyte R, Zukiene G, Bartkeviciene D Medicina (Kaunas). 2024; 60(10).

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