Clinical significance of gynecological examinations in long-term follow-ups

Abstract

 Few reports have described gynecological disorders following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At our institution, female patients undergo gynecological examinations as part of the long-term follow-up system. These examinations include a pelvic examination, transvaginal ultrasonography, and cervical cytology. This retrospective study analyzed 37 female patients with a median age of 50 years (range, 18-73). Among them, eight patients, who had received busulfan, had abnormal cervical cytology; four had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (one of whom developed vaginal cancer and received radiation therapy); three had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions; and one had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. All abnormalities except for vaginal cancer cytology regressed within 18 months. None of the patients in this study had cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancer. Although further analysis is required to identify factors associated with gynecological cancers following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, it may be important to conduct effective medical interviews and recommend visits to gynecologists for early detection and treatment of gynecological diseases.