Aim The aim of the study was to determine differences in sexual functioning and body image of patients treated for ovarian cancer, depending on treatment modality: surgery, surgery in combination with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone.Patients and Methods A total of 483 patients treated for ovarian cancer between 1995 and 2005 completed the questionnaire 2-6 months after finishing the treatment. Patients were divided into three groups. The first group consisted of 156 patients with early ovarian cancer, treated only surgically with hysterectomy and bilateral salphingoophorectomy. The second group consisted of 238 patients with advanced stages of ovarian cancer that were treated surgically in combination with chemotherapy. The third group consisted of 89 patients with advanced inoperable or metastatic ovarian cancer who were treated with chemotherapy alone.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is important for normal development and growth of an organism. In humans it is encoded by 11p15.5 paternally expressed imprinted gene. It binds at least two different types of receptors: IGF type 1 (IGF-1R) and IGF-2/mannose 6-phospate receptors (IGF-2R/M6P). Ligand binding to IGF-1R provokes mitogenic and anti-apoptotic effects.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine differences in body image and sexuality of breast cancer survivors, depending on treatment: radical mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. Patients and Methods: A total of 206 patients treated for breast cancer between January 2001 and January 2004 were asked to fill in the questionnaire 1-5 years after treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 108 patients with advanced stages of breast cancer and who were treated with modified mastectomy with adjuvant chemo- or radiation therapy. The second group consisted of 98 patients with early stages of breast cancer who were treated with breast conserving surgery, lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Results: A significant number of patients in both groups was satisfied with their sexual life before treatment, 70.37 and 73.47% respectively, which is grossly reduced after treatment of breast cancer (56.48 and 50.00%, respectively, p > 0.05). Most of patients found their partner’s attitude towards them to be the same (31.48 and 45.92%), or even better (39.82 and 25.51%) after treatment, and they described them as very supportive and tender. In group 1, 58.33% of patients felt differences in their body image, in contrast to 44.90% in group 2. Similar proportions were observed in both groups for patients who felt mutilated (18.52 vs. 8.16%, p < 0.01). Conclusion: These findings confirm and extend previous reports of impaired sexual functioning among breast cancer survivors.

. Preoperative determination of CA 125 is a very useful method to discriminate between benign and malignant masses in the pelvis.

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