Effects of Non-Ablative Solid-State Vaginal Laser (SSVL) for the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Atrophy in Breast Cancer Survivors after Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy: Preliminary Results

Daniel M Lubián-López; Carmen A Butrón-Hinojo; Salomón Menjón-Beltrán; Ernesto González-Mesa; Silvia Tapiador-Albertos; Bibiana Rodríguez-Jiménez; Gabriel Fiol-Ruiz

doi:10.3390/jcm12175669

Effects of Non-Ablative Solid-State Vaginal Laser (SSVL) for the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Atrophy in Breast Cancer Survivors after Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy: Preliminary Results

J Clin Med. 2023 Aug 31;12(17):5669. doi: 10.3390/jcm12175669.

Authors

Daniel M Lubián-López^{1

2

3}, Carmen A Butrón-Hinojo^{1

2}, Salomón Menjón-Beltrán⁴, Ernesto González-Mesa⁵, Silvia Tapiador-Albertos⁶, Bibiana Rodríguez-Jiménez⁶, Gabriel Fiol-Ruiz⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Jerez de la Frontera, 11407 Cádiz, Spain.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Viamed Bahía de Cádiz Hospital, 11130 Cádiz, Spain.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional University Hospital of Granada and Inagor Women's Clinic, 18001 Granada, Spain.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, 29001 Málaga, Spain.
⁶ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alboran CMM Women's Clinic, 04001 Almería, Spain.

Abstract

Background: One of the side effects of anti-estrogen treatments in breast cancer survivors (BCSs), especially with aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment, is the frequent appearance of vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA). We aim to evaluate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of a new type of non-ablative Solid-State Vaginal Laser (SSVL) treatment in BCSs with VVA.

Methods: A total of 30 BCSs with a history of AI use and symptoms of VVA were treated with a non-ablative SSVL (LASEmaR 1500™-EUFOTON)in this non-randomized pilot study. The effects of the laser have been evaluated at baseline, 10 wk and 24 wk using a visual analogue scale (VAS), the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), the Vulvar Health Index (VuHI), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the EORTC QLQ-BR23, the Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI) and vaginal pH.

Results: At 10-week follow-up vs. baseline there were no statistically significant differences in FSFI, lubrication and EORTC QLQ-BR23. In all the subjective (dyspareunia, VHI, VuHI, FSFI, QLQ) and objective parameters (VMI and pH) there was a statistically significant improvement at the 6-month follow-up. Satisfaction was very high (4.7 out of 5), with 95.7% of patients being satisfied, more than or very satisfied.

Conclusions: Preliminary results of SSVL treatment of VVA and dyspareunia in BCSs after AI treatment suggest clinical improvement, without relevant side effects and with a high degree of satisfaction.

Keywords: aromatase inhibitors; breast cancer survivors; non-ablativesolid-state vaginal laser (SSVL); vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA).

Grants and funding

The Ladylift^® non-ablative laser system was provided by Eufoton S.R.L.^® (Via Flavia 23/1-34148 Trieste (TS), Italy; VAT: IT 00970570321; REA: TS 114755). Administrative, technical or material support was performed by Benuren Women S.L.^®/Dr. Sapena 8, Bajo Izquierda, 03013. Alicante, Spain; CIF: B-42553602. Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The sponsors had no role in the design of the study, collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data. Preparation, review or approval of the manuscript and decision to submit the manuscript for publication was the sole decision of the authors. Contract no.: 526/12.11.2021, Beneficiary: Alboran CMM Women’s Clinic, Inagor Women’s Clinic and Viamed Bahía de Cádiz Hospital.