Effects of cancer therapy on sexuality and quality of life (QoL) of patients with gynecologic malignancies (GM): Results from 55 pts.

Abstract

e19597 Background: Sexuality is a crucial issue influenced by social norms, shame and moral taboos and is generally not discussed in the clinical day and research community. Aim of our study was to systematically evaluate the sexual function and quality of life of cancer pts after operative and systemic treatment in GM. Methods: We assessed in a prospective setting sexual function and quality of life aspects of patients with histological proven GM after completed treatment. Validated questionnaires about sexuality (Female Sexual Function Index 19 items), quality of life (SF-12) as well an additional semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 20 items were answered by all pts at the earliest 3 months after end of treatment during cancer care follow up visit. Results: Overall 55 pts with median age 61 (range, 22-74) were evaluated including 54% ovarian, 26% breast, 13% cervical cancer, 2% endometrial- and 6% vulvar cancer pts. Overall 32.7% (n=18) of the pts stated that they have sexual problems. Based on the FSFI (<26.5) more pts (58.2%) presented sexual problems. The main reasons for an impaired sexuality were a subjective lost of attractiveness (45%; n=9); vaginal dryness (25%; n=5) followed by fear of injury (20%; n=4). 36.4% (n=20) described a change of sexuality after cancer therapy, 8 pts stated positive, 12 pts negative changes. 40% of the pts stated that they have not searched for information about sexual aspects during or after cancer therapy while 25% of the pts have asked their physicians. Patients who lived in a partnership had higher SF12 scores than singles but not different global QoL-scores. Multivariate analysis revealed ovarian, endometrial, and vulvar cancer but not age, disease stage and presence of partner to negatively affect sexual function . SF12 evaluation showed significantly higher psychological functionality with increasing age. Impaired sexuality was always associated with lower scores in SF12. Conclusions: There is a high need of sexual function assessment after cancer treatment of GM patients using validated questionnaires. Only few pts have access to information about sexuality. Strategies are warranted to improve the discussion about this relevant topic.

Seksualność kobiet w trakcie leczenia raka jajnika

“…W niniejszym badaniu, podobnie jak w badaniu Pilgera i wsp. [13], zauważany jest znaczący wpływ zaburzeń seksualnych na jakość życia pacjentek z rakiem jajnika. Elementem badania było sprawdzenie związków pomiędzy depresją i jej stadiami lub jej brakiem a odczuwaniem satysfakcji seksualnej u pacjentek z rakiem jajnika.…”

Sexuality as a Prognostic Factor—Results of an Individual Patient Data NOGGO (North-Eastern German Society of Gynecological Oncology)-Meta-Analysis of 644 Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Patients Prior to Chemotherapy

“…We agree that open and supportive communication should be offered to patients and their partners about ovarian cancer's impact on their sexuality [20]. The topic of sexuality in patients with ovarian cancer is insufficiently addressed, both in clinical practice and in the scientific community [23].…”

Prostaglandin E2 receptor EP1 expression in vulvar cancer

“…Radical local surgical resection often accompanied by lymphonodectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy is the predominantly applied therapy for both tumor entities, while systemic therapies are only marginally administered resulting from a lack of randomized controlled trials (Mahner et al 2015 ). Despite limited literature regarding long-term effects of vulvar cancer therapy, radical surgery often involving large resection areas up to vulvectomy can lead to reduced quality of life with impaired sexual function, lymph edema, or urinary difficulties (Gitas et al 2021 ; Pilger et al 2012 ; Ramaseshan et al 2018 ). Although HPV vaccination gives the opportunity for primary prevention of a smaller proportion of VSCC, further risk factors such as smoking habits and an aging population additionally support the need for new predictive biomarkers and target-based therapies to ameliorate the clinical outcome for patients, especially in late stages of the disease (Daling et al 1992 ; Joura et al 2007 ).…”