An Enhanced Vaginal Dilator to Reduce Radiation-Induced Vaginal Stenosis

An Enhanced Vaginal Dilator Model to Improve Patient Adherence and Reduce Radiation-Induced Vaginal Stenosis: a Randomized Control Trial

This is a randomized control trial aimed to decreased radiation-induced vaginal stenosis in patients with endometrial or cervical cancer treated with post-operative external beam radiation therapy with or without brachytherapy. The intervention is an enhanced vaginal dilator model, including a silicone band placed at the desired depth of dilator insertion. The new model will be compared against the traditional vaginal dilator model used as our institutional standard of care. We hypothesize the enhanced model will improve adherence, correct use and efficacy of vaginal dilator use.

Pelvic radiotherapy and vaginal brachytherapy play an integral role in managing gynecological malignancies, including endometrial and cervical cancer. Radiation-induced vaginal stenosis is a well recognized complication of radiation therapy and can result in painful, inadequate pelvic exams and sexual dysfunction. Current recommendations to prevent and manage vaginal stenosis include regular use of vaginal dilators, with our institutional recommendation being three times weekly for 10 minutes. Compliance varies among studies but is generally perceived to be low. Limited literature exists regarding ways to improve adherence and correct use of vaginal dilators. The goal of this study is to enhance the standard vaginal dilator model to improve patient outcomes. Eligibility includes women with endometrial or cervical cancer treated with post-operative external beam radiation therapy with or without brachytherapy. Patients will be randomized to either the standard vaginal dilator or an enhanced model. The enhanced dilator model includes the addition of a silicone band placed at the desired depth of vaginal dilator insertion, aimed to aide in correct insertion length. The primary aim of the study is patient adherence to vaginal dilator use. Secondary aims include vaginal length, CTCAE v5.0 grading scale for vaginal stricture, sexual function, self-reported comfort with use, and discomfort during office pelvic exams. Outcomes will be obtained based on physician reporting and patient surveys. All analyses will be completed by a biostatistician in the Clinical Research Office using SAS version 9.4.

Participants in control arm (active comparator) will receive standard vaginal dilator with standard set of instructions for dilator use, including both verbal and written instructions. Recommended dilator use is three-times weekly for ten minutes

Participants in experimental arm will receive standard vaginal dilator with addition of silicone ring with standard set of instructions for dilator use, including both verbal and written instructions. Recommended dilator use is three-times weekly for ten minutes

The vaginal stenosis grading scale is an ordinal scale ranging from 0 (no vaginal stenosis) to 3 (severe vaginal stenosis) as defined by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0 - vaginal stricture.

The female sexual function index (FSFI) is a measure of sexual functioning in women. Scores range from 2 to 36 with higher scores indicating greater functioning. The baseline FSFI score is subtracted from the 12-month follow-up FSFI score for each participant.

Discomfort with pelvic exams is measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no discomfort) to 10 (severe discomfort)

Discomfort with use of the dilator is measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no discomfort) to 10 (severe discomfort)

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of endometrial or cervical cancer Undergoing external beam radiation therapy with or without brachytherapy English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: History or current presence of fistula

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