The Effect Of Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy On Cancer Survivors With Genitourinary Syndrome Of Menopause (GSM)
Improvement in cancer therapies has led to an increase in the number of women surviving chemotherapy (and other treatments) and overcoming cancer. This patient population presents specific clinical needs as chemotherapy (and other cancer treatments) treatment side effects can lead to early appearance of menopause symptoms and conventional hormonal treatments are contraindicated for these patients. The use of CO2 laser treatment has been shown to provide relief of Genitourinary Syndrome Of Menopause (GSM) symptoms in women and might provide a significant improvement in the quality of life for cancer survivors. The current study is designed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of CO2 laser for treatment of GSM symptoms in cancer survivors suffering from GSM symptoms, with limited access to hormonal treatment.
• Women who have had non-metastatic (M0, ≤Stage IIIA) cancer with any hormone receptor and her2 neu status who have completed cancer-related treatment\>=6 months prior to enrollment with no evidence of metastasis or currently active disease
• Women currently on endocrine therapy, single agent Herceptin, or observation
• Patient-reported dyspareunia and/or vaginal dryness with the severity of \>=4 on a scale from 0 (none) to 10 (most severe) that has been persistent for over \>= 4 weeks and/or the inability to be sexually active due to pain
• Age 21 to 70 years
• Subjects seeking treatment of GSM
• Objective evidence of menopause: percentage of superficial vaginal epithelial cells of vaginal smear (MI) ≤ 5% and Vaginal fluid pH \> 4.5 (for women within the first 3 years post-menopause)
• Normal Papanicolaou (PAP) test smear last performed as a standard of care
• Negative urine analysis
• Sexually active (having sexual intercourse at least once a month) or desire to maintain sexual activity
• Informed consent process completed and subject signed a consent form.
• Able and willing to comply with the treatment/follow-up schedule and requirements
• Patient is willing to use non-hormonal contraception method during the course of the study.