Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Year:2014 | Volume:17 | Issue:116|Papers Count:4

Introduction: Considering the increasing incidence of breast cancer and patients’ delayed referral to healthcare centers, a large number of these patients are potential candidates for mastectomy and radiotherapy and will eventually suffer from early- or late-onset complications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic radiation-induced skin complications and its relation with radiation dose at skin surface in breast radiation of female patients with breast cancer.Methods: Overall, 194 female patients with non-metastatic breast cancer, who had undergone locoregional radiation therapy of breast and regional lymph nodes during 1999-2009, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Chronic skin complications induced by breast radiation were assessed, based on the classification of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). For data analysis, Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were performed, using SPSS version 18. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Among 194 patients evaluated in this study, 55 subjects (28.4%) did not have any skin complications (grade 0). On the other hand, 50 (25.8%), 42 (21.6%), 16 (21.6%), and 31 (12.6%) patients had grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, and grade 4 complications, based on RTOG system, respectively. Our results showed that radiation dose at skin surface had a significant impact on the incidence of chronic skin complications. Moreover, increase in maximum skin dose was significantly correlated with chronic skin complications (P=0.009).Conclusion: As the results indicated, radiation dose at skin surface during radiotherapy is significantly correlated with chronic skin complications, and this relation should be considered in treatment planning.

Introduction: Perineal lacerations are common complications during childbirth and may occur spontaneously during this process. Midwives or obstetricians may need to make a surgical incision (episiotomy) to increase the diameter of the vaginal outlet and facilitate the neonate’s birth. The aim of this study was to compare perineal lacerations in routine versus selective episiotomy.Methods: The current study was performed on 986 nulliparous women, admitted to Besat Hospital of Sanandaj in 2010-2011. Patients were randomly allocated to routine and selective episiotomy (only in case of vacuum-assisted delivery or fetal distress) groups. For data analysis, t-test, Chi-square, and Fisher''s exact test were performed, using SPSS version 15. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: duration of the second stage of labor, first-degree tears, and labia minora lacerations in selective episiotomy was significantly greater than the routine episiotomy group (P=0.0001). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding second-, third-, or fourth-degree lacerations.Conclusion: Routine mediolateral episiotomy could not prevent severe perineal lacerations but failure to do this in all cases (performed only in selected cases) resulted in first-degree lacerations and anterior perineal trauma. So it seems, limited use of episiotomy is a more rational approach for managing perineal outcomes during labor.

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction refers to sexual desire disorders and psychosocial changes, which can impact one’s sexual response cycle and cause stress and interpersonal difficulties. Treatment modality is one of the most important predictive factors for sexual dysfunction and varies depending on the type of malignancy. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sexual dysfunctions and treatment modality in gynecologic and breast cancer patients.Methods: This correlational study was conducted on 150 women with gynecologic and breast cancers, referring to Seyedoshohada and Milad hospitals in Isfahan, Iran in 2011. The demographic/disease questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Sexual function-Vaginal changes Questionnaire (SVQ) were completed by the subjects. Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA were performed, using SPSS version 14. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: As the results indicated, 106 (70.7%) and 44 (29.3%) women had breast and gynecologic cancers, respectively. Also, 71 (47.3%) patients had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy. According to ANOVA test results, Sexual dysfunction in patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy was significantly greater than other groups (P=0.002).Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction in patients with cancers of the breast and genital tract were treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy was more.