(1) Background: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a medical condition that can affect breast cancer survivors (BCS). This is a complication that often can occur as a result of breast cancer treatment, causing symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, dysuria, pain, discomfort, and impairment of sexual function. BCS who experience these symptoms negatively impact multiple aspects of their quality of life to the point that some of them fail to complete adjuvant hormonal treatment; (2) Methods: In this systematic review of the literature, we have analyzed possible pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for GSM in BCS. We reviewed systemic hormone therapy, local hormone treatment with estrogens and androgens, the use of vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, ospemifene, and physical therapies such as radiofrequency, electroporation, and vaginal laser; (3) Results: The data available to date demonstrate that the aforementioned treatments are effective for the therapy of GSM and, in particular, vulvovaginal atrophy in BCS. Where possible, combination therapy often appears more useful than using a single line of treatment; (4) Conclusions: We analyzed the efficacy and safety data of each of these options for the treatment of GSM in BCS, emphasizing how often larger clinical trials with longer follow-ups are needed.

Therapeutic choices for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (gsm) in breast cancer survivors. a systematic review and update / Merlino, Lucia; D'Ovidio, Giulia; Matys, Viviana; Piccioni, Maria Grazia; Porpora, Maria Grazia; Senatori, Roberto; Viscardi, MARIA FEDERICA; Vitale, Antonio; DELLA ROCCA, Carlo. - In: PHARMACEUTICALS. - ISSN 1424-8247. - 16:4(2023), pp. 1-27. [10.3390/ph16040550]

Therapeutic choices for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (gsm) in breast cancer survivors. a systematic review and update

Lucia Merlino;Giulia D’Ovidio
;
Viviana Matys;Maria Grazia Piccioni;Maria Grazia Porpora;Maria Federica Viscardi;Carlo Della Rocca
2023

Abstract

(1) Background: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a medical condition that can affect breast cancer survivors (BCS). This is a complication that often can occur as a result of breast cancer treatment, causing symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, dysuria, pain, discomfort, and impairment of sexual function. BCS who experience these symptoms negatively impact multiple aspects of their quality of life to the point that some of them fail to complete adjuvant hormonal treatment; (2) Methods: In this systematic review of the literature, we have analyzed possible pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for GSM in BCS. We reviewed systemic hormone therapy, local hormone treatment with estrogens and androgens, the use of vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, ospemifene, and physical therapies such as radiofrequency, electroporation, and vaginal laser; (3) Results: The data available to date demonstrate that the aforementioned treatments are effective for the therapy of GSM and, in particular, vulvovaginal atrophy in BCS. Where possible, combination therapy often appears more useful than using a single line of treatment; (4) Conclusions: We analyzed the efficacy and safety data of each of these options for the treatment of GSM in BCS, emphasizing how often larger clinical trials with longer follow-ups are needed.
2023
aromatase inhibitors (ai); breast cancer survivors (bcs); genitourinary syndrome of menopause (gsm); local hormone therapy; vaginal laser therapy; vaginal lubricants; vaginal moisturizers; vulvovaginal atrophy (vva)
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01g Articolo di rassegna (Review)
Therapeutic choices for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (gsm) in breast cancer survivors. a systematic review and update / Merlino, Lucia; D'Ovidio, Giulia; Matys, Viviana; Piccioni, Maria Grazia; Porpora, Maria Grazia; Senatori, Roberto; Viscardi, MARIA FEDERICA; Vitale, Antonio; DELLA ROCCA, Carlo. - In: PHARMACEUTICALS. - ISSN 1424-8247. - 16:4(2023), pp. 1-27. [10.3390/ph16040550]
File allegati a questo prodotto
File Dimensione Formato  
Merlino_Therapeutic-choices-genitourinary_2023.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 661.2 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
661.2 kB Adobe PDF

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1678687
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 2
  • Scopus 5
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 4
social impact