ObjectivesGenitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) combines the conditions of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and urinary tract dysfunction, which is a result of urethral atrophy. There are several treatment methods available for the management of vulvovaginal symptoms of GSM, whereas urinary tract dysfunction often remains overlooked and undertreated. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the safety and efficacy of intraurethral Er:YAG laser treatment of urinary symptoms of GSM.Patients and MethodsPatients with diagnosed GSM, having less than 5% of vaginal superficial cells in the cytology, vaginal pH higher than 5, with urinary symptoms of GSM (dysuria, frequency, urgency) and impaired continence due to urethral atrophy, received two sessions of intraurethral Er:YAG laser with a 3‐week interval in‐between the sessions. Laser energy was delivered in non‐ablative way using Erbium SMOOTH™ mode technology and a 4‐mm thick cannula. Therapeutic efficacy was determined using ICIQ‐SF, the 1‐hour pad test and VAS scores. Occurrence of adverse effects was followed at every visit. Follow ups (FU) were at 3 and 6 months.Results29 female patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this pilot study and received two sessions of the intraurethral non‐ablative Erbium SMOOTH™ laser therapy. Significant improvement was observed in all measured parameters at both FU. ICIQ‐SF improved by an average of 64% at 3 months FU and by 40% at 6 months. The 1‐hour pad test showed a reduction of the quantity of leaked urine by 59% at 3 months FU and by 42% at 6 months FU. All urinary symptoms of GSM improved. Dysuria dropped to 13% and 31% of baseline values at three and 6 months respectively, urinary urgency dropped to 23% and 47% and frequency dropped to 22% and 43% after 3 and 6 months, respectively. Adverse effects were mild and transient.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that intraurethral Er:YAG laser is an efficacious and safe modality for treatment of urinary symptoms of GSM, however, prospective, randomized, and controlled trials with larger number of patients are needed to better assess the long‐term effect of this novel procedure. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:802–807, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Avoidance of high-intensity conditioning regimens may decrease the incidence of allogeneic BMT-associated TM.

For plans having the same target coverage probability, PTP has potential to reduce rectal doses while maintaining CTV coverage probability. In blind comparisons, physicians prefer PTP plans over optimized margin plans.

Aims: This prospective study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between the use of Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser in a nonablative mode, to the use of the pharmacological treatment of oral tadalafil for the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Methods: The laser group received two sessions of Erbium:YAG laser, administered intraurethrally in a long, nonablative train of long pulses (SMOOTH™ mode), applied at the level of the male prostatic urethra. Tadalafil group received oral tadalafil at a dose of 5 mg/day, consecutively for 2 months. Effectiveness was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, VAS (visual analogue scale) pain score, and maximum urethral flow at follow-up visits up to 12 months after initiating treatment. Adverse effects were recorded after each treatment and follow-up sessions. Results: The results show a significant decrease in the IPSS score in both groups up to the 12-month follow-up. The increase in Q-max was evident up to 3-months follow-up in the tadalafil group and up to 6 months in the laser group. The decrease in the VAS pain score was also significant in both treatment groups, lasting up to 3 months in the tadalafil group and up to 6 months in the laser group. Conclusions: The nonablative Er:YAG SMOOTH™ laser seems to be a promising treatment for this widely occurring condition. More studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy. K E Y W O R D S chronic prostatitis with chronic pelvic pain syndrome, nonablative Er:YAG laser therapy, tadalafil

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