Screening for Anal Cancer in Women With High-grade Vulvar Dysplasia or Vulvar Cancer.
Recruiting now NCT03061435
Run by Dr. Danielle Vicus · for 40 and older · Women · accepts healthy volunteers
What this study is about
Almost half of all women will develop an HPV infection in their lifetime. While most infections are naturally asymptomatic or cleared by the immune system, some persist and can lead to the development of cervical, vulvar, or anal lesions and eventually cancer. Screening regimens for these lesions are currently only in place for the cervix through regular Pap tests. These Pap tests usually involve an examination of the vulva -however, no screening procedures exist for anal cancer for women. Several studies have suggested that women with existing gynecological lesions are more likely to develop anal lesions and anal cancer. Here the investigators propose a multi-center study which seeks to screen for and treat anal cancer in women over the age of 40 with vulvar lesions and a stable immune system. The investigators will achieve this through performing anal Pap smears on eligible women and conducting High Resolution Anoscopy (HRA) and appropriate treatment procedures on those with abnormal anal cells. With enough evidence, there may be an indication to establish regular anal cancer screening measures in this potentially underserved population. Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that at least 40% of women with vulvar cancer or VIN2/3 will have abnormal anal cytology. 35% of the population will be hrHPV DNA positive and 11% will additionally have AIN2/3. This prospective study may lay the groundwork for routine anal screening regimens in Ontario and help shift health policy to treat this population.
Who can join (things the study team will check)
✅ You may be able to join if…
- Women age ≥ 40
- Previous diagnosis of VIN 2/3 or vulvar
🚫 You may not be able to join if…
- Women with a previous diagnosis of cancer aside from basal cell carcinoma of the skin, cervical cancer, or vulvar cancer
- Women who are HIV positive
- Women currently taking immunosuppressant medication
- Women who have had a previous hysterectomy
Where this trial is running
- Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Who to contact
Nithla Mohanathas, BSc · 4164805000 · nithla.mohanathas@sunnybrook.ca
It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT03061435.
Verify everything on the official ClinicalTrials.gov record. Page updated July 2026.