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- Varli, IH, et al.
(author)
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The Stockholm classification of stillbirth
- 2008
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In: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 87:11, s. 1202-1212
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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- Hofsjo, A., et al.
(author)
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Radiotherapy for cervical cancer - impact on the vaginal epithelium and sexual function
- 2018
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In: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 57:3, s. 338-345
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Women who have been treated for cervical cancer have persistent changes in their sexual function, which result in considerable distress. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology of the vaginal epithelium in cervical cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy and its correlation to serum levels of sex steroid hormones and sexual function.Material and methods: We included 34 patients treated for cervical cancer with radiotherapy and 37 healthy age-matched control women scheduled for benign gynecological surgery. After inspection and grading of vaginal atrophy, vaginal biopsies were taken. Epithelial structures were analyzed by measuring epithelial thickness as well as the number, height and width of the dermal papillae and the dermal papillae distance. Sex steroid hormone levels were analyzed and a questionnaire designed to assess sexual function was filled out.Results: In the cervical cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy, the vaginal epithelium volume was reduced compared to control women. Longer distance between the dermal papillae (p<.001) and a shorter distance from basal layer to epithelial surface (p<.05) were measured. Mucosal atrophy was observed in 91% of the survivors. There was no difference in serum estradiol between cancer survivors and control women, implying that the cancer survivors were sufficiently substituted. The epithelial thickness correlated to serum levels of estradiol. The cervical cancer survivors reported more physical sexual symptoms. The highest relative risk (RR) was found for insufficient vaginal lubrication (RR 12.6), vaginal inelasticity (RR 6.5), reduced genital swelling when sexually aroused (RR 5.9), and for reduction of vaginal length during intercourse (RR 3.9).Conclusion: We found that cervical cancer treatment including radiotherapy is associated with vaginal epithelial atrophy and sexual dysfunction. To hamper the atrophic process affecting the sexual function, an early start of local estrogen after therapy might be of importance.
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- Hofsjo, A., et al.
(author)
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Radiotherapy-induced vaginal fibrosis in cervical cancer survivors
- 2017
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In: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 56:5, s. 661-666
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Cervical cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy report vaginal inelasticity and decreased lubrication that may affect their sexual health, but it is unknown which normal tissue reactions mediate these symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology of the connective tissue of the vaginal wall in cervical cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy.Material and methods: We recruited 34 cervical cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy and 37 age-matched controls. Via clinical examination the degree of vaginal atrophy and pelvic fibrosis were estimated. We collected vaginal biopsies, which underwent morphometric analysis focused on elastin and collagen. Additionally, radiation dose at biopsy site were calculated and correlated to the clinical and morphological findings.Results: The survivors had marked morphological vaginal changes, most prominent in the survivors that had received the highest radiation dose at the biopsy site. Mucosal atrophy was observed in 91% and pelvic fibrosis in 97%. A shorter vagina was measured; 7.0cm versus 10.3cm in controls (p<0.001). The area fraction of elastin was greater in survivors; 10.0% (range 5.8-12.9), compared with controls; 3.4% (range 1.8-5.8), p<0.001. The survivors had signs of elastosis with thick aggregated elastin fibers irregularly scattered throughout the connective tissue, while the controls had elastin fibers in a thin sub-epithelial layer. The area fraction of high density collagen in the connective tissue was larger among the survivors (p<0.001). The collagen with the highest density (fibrosis) was more common in the group of cancer survivors that had received external radiation.Conclusions: We found drastic differences in the vaginal wall between the irradiated cervical cancer survivors and the controls, indicating that radiotherapy-induced vaginal symptoms are mediated by connective tissue fibrosis and elastosis. Our results also support that patients treated with external radiation have the highest risk of developing vaginal fibrosis with impairment of their sexual health. ITBOL MM, 1974, OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, V44, P249 ITBOL MM, 1974, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, V119, P181
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- Hofsjo, A., et al.
(author)
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Sex steroid hormone receptor expression in the vaginal wall in cervical cancer survivors after radiotherapy
- 2019
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In: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 58:8, s. 1107-1115
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Sex steroid hormones and their receptors are important in female sexual function. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and distribution of estrogen receptor (ER)alpha, ER beta, G-protein-coupled ER-1 (GPER), androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PR)A, PRB and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the vaginal wall among women who had been treated for cervical cancer with radiotherapy. Material and methods: We included cervical cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy and premenopausal control women of the same age scheduled for benign gynecological surgery. We analyzed the expression and distribution of sex steroid hormone receptors and CTGF in biopsies from the vaginal wall, by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Serum samples were analyzed for hormone levels and radiation dose at biopsy site were calculated and correlated to levels of the sex steroid hormone receptors. Results: In the cervical cancer survivors (n = 34), we found a lower expression of ER alpha at both mRNA and protein levels, compared to the control women (n = 37). In the survivors with high radiation dose at biopsy site, the immunostaining of ER alpha and AR was lower in the epithelium and the stroma, compared to survivors with minimal radiation dose. The later group showed expression of ER alpha comparable to the control women. The cancer survivors were sufficiently substituted with systemic estradiol with no difference in the serum estradiol levels compared to control women. Conclusions: We found that external radiation reduces the ER alpha and AR protein expression in the vaginal mucosa, indicating that the vaginal changes in irradiated cervical cancer survivors and the lack of response to hormonal treatment could be due to the decreases in sex steroid hormone receptor expression.
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