Use of a vaginal CO2 laser for the management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in gynecological cancer survivors: a systematic review

Abstract

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) may arise from the hypoestrogenism caused by ovarian function destruction following gynecological cancer treatments. GSM may also be present in menopausal women and its symptoms might be exacerbated by cancer treatments. Historically, patients with hormone-dependent gynecological cancer and physicians have been less comfortable using vaginal estrogen due to fear of recurrence. CO2 vaginal laser therapies have demonstrated efficacy as a non-hormonal alternative for GSM treatment in healthy menopausal patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the data on the effect of a CO2 vaginal laser for the management of GSM in gynecological cancer patients. Databases searched included MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane and Google Scholar. Selected studies assessed use of a CO2 vaginal laser in gynecological cancer patients with GSM. A total of 269 studies were retrieved. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. Each study followed a different type of CO2 vaginal laser protocol for the management of GSM in gynecological cancer patients. There are no randomized controlled trials that assess the use of a CO2 vaginal laser in gynecologic cancer patients. The number of published gynecological cancer patients treated with a CO2 laser for the management of GSM is extremely limited (N < 100). There is a lack of literature on the impact and safety of vaginal CO2 laser use to manage GSM in gynecologic cancer patients.