The Impact of Vulvar Cancer on Psychosocial and Sexual Functioning: A Literature Review

Abstract

Women who are diagnosed and treated for vulvar cancer are at higher risk of psychological distress, sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction with partner relationships. The aim of this article is to provide a review of the psychological, relational and sexual issues experienced by women with vulvar cancer in order to highlight the importance of this issue and improve the quality of care offered to these patients. A review of the literature was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library. The results are presented as a narrative synthesis and highlight the massive impact of vulvar cancer: depressive and anxiety symptoms were more frequent in these women, and vulvar cancer may have a negative effect on sexuality from a physical, psychological and behavioural point of view. Factors that may negatively affect these women’s lives are shame, insecurity or difficulties in self-care and daily activities. This review highlights the psychosocial and psychosexual issues faced by women diagnosed and treated for vulvar cancer, although more studies are needed to better investigate this field of interest and to identify strategies to relieve their psychological distress. Care providers should implement an integrated care model to help women with vulvar cancer recognise and address their unmet needs.

Reconstructive Surgery versus Primary Closure following Vulvar Cancer Excision: A Wide Single-Center Experience

“…When addressing surgical treatment options following vulvar cancer excision, it is important to keep in mind the sexual and functional outcomes of reconstructive surgery in comparison to primary closure [ 22 , 23 ]. This component was not included in this paper, but it will be the focus of our near future research.…”

Effects of marital status on survival of retroperitoneal liposarcomas stratified by age and sex: A population‐based study

“… 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 With the increased understanding of human health and the consequent advancements in healthcare, the role of socio‐psychosocial factors in cancer is receiving increased attention. Several clinical studies have shown that socio‐psychosocial factors are important prognostic factors in a variety of tumor types in both adults and adolescents, 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 and marital status is one of the most important socio‐psychosocial factors. 25 , 26 , 27 Recent studies have focused on marital status and cancer, and the results suggest that married patients have significantly better survival than unmarried patients.…”

Management Strategies for Sexuality Complaints after Gynecologic Cancer: A Systematic Review

“… 26 31 Thus, the main complaints of affected women resulting from this treatment is the high risk of psychological distress, low libido, and dissatisfaction in the relationship with their partner. 60 61 And because vulvar cancer is a neoplasm with a rare condition, there is scarcity of studies on the impact of the disease and little is known about the real emotional, social, and psychological impacts on surviving patients. 2 4 8 Studies suggest that, for these cases, the care strategy that can be offered to surviving patients is psychological and therapeutic support, because many of them have significant levels of suffering, with an altered perception of their body image and feelings of isolation and embarrassment resulting from external genital mutilation.…”

“… 15 19 In the biopsychosocial aspect, this has a very relevant factor, because many of them feel unprepared and without the correct information of care, which brings a negative psychological, social, and even financial burden, because in many situations it is necessary to give up the job to be able to give the support that the patient needs. 11 13 60 Intimate intercourse is a psychosocial process strongly experienced in the female sexual function and many difficulties faced by surviving women are a result of this. 19 34 In addition, sexual dysfunctions are closely linked to the stages of the cycle of sexual response, that is, the inability of the sexual act to be satisfactory for the couple.…”