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RecruitingPhase 2

Vaginal DHEA to Improve Vaginal Health After Radiation for Women With Gynecologic, Anal or Rectal Cancer

Vaginal DHEA for Women With Gynecologic and Gastrointestinal Cancer After Radiation

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
50 Years and older
Sex
Female only
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Time periods mentioned: 3 months

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "OUTLINE: Patients receive DHEA vaginally once daily (OD) for 3 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

This phase II trial tests the feasibility and side effects of vaginal DHEA to improve vaginal health after radiation for women with gynecologic, anal or rectal cancer. Treatment of cancers with radiation to the abdomen can influence the vaginal microbiome (any bacteria, virus, or other organisms found in the vagina). Both menopause and radiation cause a decrease in lubrication and elasticity of the vagina and symptoms including vaginal dryness, vaginal burning and itching, vaginal bleeding, pain or burning during urination, and pain during sexual intercourse. DHEA is a type of hormone replacement therapy. It is use to improve symptoms in women during menopause and may be effective in treating these symptoms for women who have received radiation.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Any patient with anal, rectal, cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer receiving external beam radiation alone, or both external beam radiation and brachytherapy with curative intent (Participants will be consented and enrolled prior to starting treatment but will not receive intervention till after treatment is completed) * Concurrent or prior chemotherapy is allowed * Any prior gynecologic surgery is permitted * Rectal surgery, including lower anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection, is permitted * Subject must be menopausal, which is defined as age \> 50 with no menses for 12 months or bilateral oophorectomy Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disorder, and lupus will be excluded * Patients who have received prior pelvic radiation * Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding (unrelated to current diagnosis or treatment related toxicity) * Endometrial cancer or endometrial hyperplasia * Use of estrogen alone injectable or progestin implant therapy with 3 months before study entry * Use of estrogen pellet or progestin injectable drug within 6 months before study entry * Use of oral estrogen, progestin, or DHEA or intrauterine progestin within 8 weeks before study entry * Use of vaginal estrogen (rings, creams, tablets, or gels), transdermal estrogen +/- progestin, vaginal hyaluronic acid, or pro-estrogenic herbal treatments such as black cohosh in the 4 weeks before study entry. Intravaginal moisturizers and lubricants prior to enrollment are permitted * History of breast cancer * Patients receiving palliative radiation therapy * Patients who do not meet criteria for menopause

Study sites (1)

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