2022
Brachytherapy impacts on sexual function: An integrative review of the literature focusing on cervical cancer
Chin C, Damast S. Brachytherapy impacts on sexual function: An integrative review of the literature focusing on cervical cancer. Brachytherapy 2022, 22: 30-46. PMID: 36567175, DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2022.10.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual morbidityCervical cancerSexual sequelaeImage-guided adaptive brachytherapyQuality of lifeSecondary preventionCurative treatmentDosimetric factorsCommon symptomsVaginal doseCancer patientsClose surveillanceSexual functionIndirect sequelaeSexual symptomsVaginal morbidityVaginal toxicitySexual dysfunctionAdaptive brachytherapySexual healthClinical interventionsMorbidityCritical organsSequelaeEffect relationship
2019
Outcomes and relapse patterns of stage IB grade 2 or 3 endometrial cancer treated with adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy
Hochreiter A, Kelly JR, Young MR, Litkouhi B, Black JD, Stromberger C, Higgins S, Schwartz PE, Damast S. Outcomes and relapse patterns of stage IB grade 2 or 3 endometrial cancer treated with adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy. International Journal Of Gynecological Cancer 2019, 30: 48. PMID: 31722964, DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2019-000675.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDisease-free survivalLower uterine segment involvementPelvic recurrence-free survivalStage IB grade 2Uterine segment involvementLymph node dissectionRecurrence-free survivalEndometrial cancerRisk factorsVaginal brachytherapyOverall survivalGrade 2Endometrioid histologyNode dissectionPelvic recurrenceSegment involvementLymph nodesMyometrial invasionMultivariable Cox proportional hazards regressionEarly-stage endometrial cancerUnderwent lymph node dissectionCox proportional hazards regressionReduced disease-free survivalAdjuvant vaginal brachytherapySole adjuvant therapyLiterature Review of Vaginal Stenosis and Dilator Use in Radiation Oncology
Damast S, Jeffery DD, Son CH, Hasan Y, Carter J, Lindau ST, Jhingran A. Literature Review of Vaginal Stenosis and Dilator Use in Radiation Oncology. Practical Radiation Oncology 2019, 9: 479-491. PMID: 31302301, PMCID: PMC7944435, DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2019.07.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVaginal dilator therapyVaginal stenosisPelvic radiation therapyRisk factorsRadiation therapyOutcomes of patientsRadiation-induced vaginal stenosisRadiation oncologyStrong risk factorCare of womenDilator therapyDilator useRT doseProspective dataSexual functionVaginal dilatorsVaginal changesOptimal durationRadiation oncologistsEarly manifestationStenosisLiterature reviewSearch termsProspective effortsPathophysiology
2018
Extended duration of dilator use beyond 1 year may reduce vaginal stenosis after intravaginal high-dose-rate brachytherapy
Stahl JM, Qian JM, Tien CJ, Carlson DJ, Chen Z, Ratner ES, Park HS, Damast S. Extended duration of dilator use beyond 1 year may reduce vaginal stenosis after intravaginal high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Supportive Care In Cancer 2018, 27: 1425-1433. PMID: 30187220, DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4441-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVaginal stenosisEndometrial carcinomaMultivariable Cox proportional hazardsMultivariable Cox regression analysisVD useAcademic tertiary referral centerTertiary referral centerCox regression analysisLog-rank testCox proportional hazardsDevelopment of gradeDilator usePelvic radiotherapyReferral centerNoncompliant patientsPrimary outcomeAdjuvant brachytherapyEC patientsConclusionsThe riskRate brachytherapyProportional hazardsOptimal durationPatientsBrachytherapyStudy period
2017
Impact of vaginal cylinder diameter on outcomes following brachytherapy for early stage endometrial cancer
Qian JM, Stahl JM, Young MR, Ratner E, Damast S. Impact of vaginal cylinder diameter on outcomes following brachytherapy for early stage endometrial cancer. Journal Of Gynecologic Oncology 2017, 28: 0. PMID: 29027402, PMCID: PMC5641534, DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2017.28.e84.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenocarcinomaAdultAgedAged, 80 and overBody Mass IndexBrachytherapyConstriction, PathologicDatabases, FactualEndometrial NeoplasmsFemaleGastrointestinal DiseasesGravidityHumansHysterectomyLymph Node ExcisionMiddle AgedNeoplasm StagingOvariectomyRadiation InjuriesRadiotherapy, AdjuvantSalpingectomyTreatment OutcomeVaginaVaginal DiseasesConceptsVaginal brachytherapyVaginal symptomsLate grade 3 toxicityEarly-stage endometrial cancerNormal body mass indexAdjuvant vaginal brachytherapyGrade 3 toxicityShorter vaginal lengthStage endometrial cancerEndometrial cancer patientsBody mass indexRate of recurrenceAcute gastrointestinalTreatment tolerabilityVaginal stenosisEndometrial cancerVaginal lengthMass indexRecurrence rateCancer patientsVaginal toxicityTreatment characteristicsHigh riskSide effectsPatients
2016
Influence of robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy on vaginal cuff healing and brachytherapy initiation in endometrial carcinoma patients
Stahl JM, Park HS, Silasi DA, Azodi M, Damast S. Influence of robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy on vaginal cuff healing and brachytherapy initiation in endometrial carcinoma patients. Practical Radiation Oncology 2016, 6: 226-232. PMID: 27364883, DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2015.09.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRobotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomyVaginal cuff healingEndometrial carcinoma patientsIntravaginal brachytherapyAdjuvant intravaginal brachytherapyCuff healingLaparoscopic hysterectomyCarcinoma patientsEndometrial carcinomaTAH patientsHealing statusHealing timeEarly-stage endometrial carcinomaExternal beam radiation therapyVaginal cuff recurrenceTotal abdominal hysterectomyBeam radiation therapyAbdominal hysterectomySecondary outcomesConsecutive patientsLocal recurrencePrimary outcomeOncology evaluationMean intervalHysterectomy
2015
Predictors of vaginal stenosis after intravaginal high-dose-rate brachytherapy for endometrial carcinoma
Park HS, Ratner ES, Lucarelli L, Polizzi S, Higgins SA, Damast S. Predictors of vaginal stenosis after intravaginal high-dose-rate brachytherapy for endometrial carcinoma. Brachytherapy 2015, 14: 464-470. PMID: 25887343, DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2015.03.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVaginal stenosisDilator useIndependent predictorsEndometrial carcinomaTotal doseRate brachytherapyMultivariable logistic regression analysisExternal beam radiation therapyCommon Terminology CriteriaEffective adjuvant treatmentMonths of followupPost-treatment factorsBeam radiation therapyHigher total doseLogistic regression analysisTerminology CriteriaAdjuvant treatmentFollowup visitMean followupAdverse eventsLast followupMultivariable analysisRisk factorsRadiation therapyPatients