title: Local α-tocopherol for acute and short-term vaginal toxicity prevention in patients treated with radiotherapy for gynecologic tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data in literature about the use of adjuvant treatment to reduce acute adverse effects of radiotherapy on the pelvis are scant, with the exception of a few reports on the topical use of estrogen, which promotes proliferation of epithelium.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective trial, α-tocopherol acetate was topically administered to patients affected by endometrial and cervical cancer and undergoing radiation treatment to avoid acute vaginal complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vaginal application of α-tocopherol reduced vaginal toxicity and pain, although vaginal secretion was not significantly different in the 2 groups studied. The histological scoring system showed a significant reduction of inflammation, no difference in fibrosis, and an increase of acanthosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of α-tocopherol as adjuvant treatment to reduce the acute adverse effects of radiotherapy on the vagina should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galuppi
authors.forename: Anna Myriam
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: La Macchia
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Medoro
authors.forename: Lucia Ricci
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Maccarini
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Strada
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pozzati
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Pierandrea
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Iaco
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol