Evaluation of sexual functions and sexual behaviors after penile brachytherapy in men treated for penile carcinoma

Abstract

PurposeTo assess sexual functions and behaviors of men treated by penile brachytherapy for a cancer of the penis.Materials and methodsThirty eight men (19 patients treated by penile brachytherapy for a cancer of the penis and 19 age paired-matched controls) participated in a survey about sexuality. The mean age of patients and controls were 73.2 +/- 11.7 and 70.0 +/- 10.5 years, respectively (NS). Controls were men without penile pathology, without history of cancer and no evidence of cognitive impairment. All agreed to participate in the survey about sexuality using 2 questionnaires : the IIEF questionnaire, which explores 4 domains of sexual functions, namely erection, satisfaction, orgasm and desire, and a questionnaire created using the BASIC IDEA grid, which addresses nine domains: behavior, affect, sensation, self-image, cognition, interpersonal, drugs, expectation and attitude.ResultsPatients had better scores than controls in 3 domains of the IIEF: erection, desire and satisfaction. These results contrasted with the frequency of intercourse and the quality of erection (evaluated through the BASIC IDEA questionnaire) that were not significantly different between the two populations. Patients also had significantly higher frequency of masturbation (p <0.001) lower worry about sexual performance and higher expected satisfaction for future life (p: 0.021) than controls.ConclusionPenile brachytherapy is a treatment of cancer of the penis that seems to have a moderated impact on sexual functions since most of sexual scores are not inferior in these patients than in age pair-matched controls.

Sexuality in Surgically Treated Carcinoma Penis Patients and Their Partners

“…Most organ-preserving treatment modalities such as brachytherapy, laser ablation of the tumour etc. help the patients to retain their sexual function intact [15][16][17]. Global reduction in sexual function was moderate in total penectomised patients, with partial penectomy group having most of the sexual functions intact.…”

What are the unmet supportive care needs of men affected by penile cancer? A systematic review of the empirical evidence

“…Some men subsequently divorced due to problems after therapy (Opjordsmoen et al, 1994), but other contextual factors which might have affected marriage breakdown for these couples were not clear. Elsewhere, wives of men affected by penile cancer "understood and accepted" sexual dysfunction as an inevitable consequence of treatment (Soh et al, 2014). Moreover, men viewed the support from their wives as an important factor with coping with the impact of surgery (Witty et al, 2013).…”

Sexual function in the penile cancer survivor: a narrative review

“…To elaborate on the impact of brachytherapy on sexual outcomes, Soh et al matched 19 men treated with penile brachytherapy and 19 age-matched controls who participated in a first of its kind study comparing sexual function and psychosexual QOL (16). Eighty-nine percent of men were sexually active prior to treatment, though only 36.8% had frequent intercourse.…”