Survivors of endometrial cancer: Who is at risk for sexual dysfunction?

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Function and Quality of Life Among Patients With Endometrial Cancer After Surgery

Gao

Xiao

Bai

et al. 2017

“…21 It has been recently suggested that the incidence of sexual dysfunction may be greater than 80%. 22 Overall sexual function was related to the perceived quality rather than the quantity of sexual interactions; a small change in perceived quality could have a large impact on overall sexual function and overall sexual function was a predictor of QoL. 23 A small interventional study in 31 survivors of EC or cervical cancer who self-reported distressing sexual concerns longitudinally evaluated a mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy.…”

Section: Pros and Survivorshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality of Life and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Endometrial Cancer Clinical Trials

Joly

McAlpine

Nout

et al. 2014

“…20 However, a recent crosssectional study using a validated sexual function measure indicated that 89% of endometrial cancer survivors (stages I-IIIA) had sexual dysfunction. 21 It is unclear if adjuvant radiation therapy and vaginal toxicity played a factor, as reported in other studies. 22Y25 This ancillary data study was designed to explore the sexual function items of patients with early-stage endometrial cancer surgically treated on LAP2.…”

mentioning

confidence: 94%

Sexual Function of Patients With Endometrial Cancer Enrolled in the Gynecologic Oncology Group LAP2 Study

Carter¹,

Huang

Chase

et al. 2012

Objectives To present responses to sexual function items contained within the quality of life (QOL) survey of the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) LAP2 study, to investigate associations between sexual function and other factors such as relationship quality and body image), and to explore patterns of response in endometrial cancer patients. Methods Participants enrolled on the LAP2 QOL study arm completed a self-report QOL survey, which contained sexual function items, before surgery, and at 1, 3, 6-weeks and 6-months post surgery. Responses to sexual function questions were classified into three patterns—responder, intermittent responder and non-responder—based on whether the sexual function items were answered when the QOL survey was completed. Results Of 752 patients who completed the QOL survey, 225 completed the sexual function items within the QOL survey, 224 responded intermittently, and 303 did not respond at all. No significant differences of sexual function were found between the patients randomized to laparoscopy compared to laparotomy. Among those who responded completely or intermittently, sexual function scores declined after surgery and recovered to pre-surgery levels at 6 months. Sexual function was positively associated with better quality of relationship (P<0.001), body image (P<0.001), and QOL (P<0.001), and negatively associated with fear of sex (P<0.001). Conclusion Our findings suggest that younger patients, those who were married, and those who had quality relationships were more likely to answer the sexual function items and have better quality of sexual function. Factors such as age, relationship quality, body image, and pain may place women with endometrial cancer at risk for sexual difficulties in the immediate recovery period; however, sexual function improved by 6-months postoperatively in our cohort of early-stage endometrial cancer patients.