Assessing vaginal health after pelvic radiotherapy using advanced ultrasound imaging
Official title: Clinical assessment of radiotherapy-induced vaginal toxicity with multiparametric ultrasound imaging
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-10872807 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pelvic radiotherapy affects vaginal health in women being treated for certain cancers, and it aims to create a new ultrasound technique to better understand any changes in vaginal tissue before and after treatment, helping to improve care for patients experiencing issues like pain or sexual problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $263,086 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA290252-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872807 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer who are undergoing post-operative intravaginal brachytherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing pelvic radiotherapy or those with other types of cancer unrelated to the study focus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of pelvic radiotherapy on vaginal health in women undergoing treatment for gynecological and anorectal cancers. It aims to develop a new imaging technique using multiparametric ultrasound to objectively measure vaginal tissue health before and after treatment. By utilizing advanced imaging methods, the study seeks to provide more accurate assessments of radiation-induced vaginal toxicity, which can lead to complications such as pain and sexual dysfunction. The research will involve a clinical study with endometrial cancer patients receiving intravaginal brachytherapy to correlate ultrasound findings with traditional clinical assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved monitoring and management of vaginal toxicity in cancer patients, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of ultrasound imaging in this context is innovative, similar approaches in other areas of cancer treatment have shown promise in improving patient outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burgess, Mark Thomas — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Burgess, Mark Thomas
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.