Quality of life and sexual function after surgery in early stage vulvar cancer

Assessing Patient-reported Quality of Life Outcomes in Vulva Cancer Patients: A Systematic Literature Review

“…18,39 Furthermore, in one study, adjuvant inguinal RT was negatively associated with the ability to achieve orgasm (P = 0.01). 21 Factors associated with posttreatment sexual dysfunction included ILND, 27 older age 18,21,22,27 poor performance status, a history of depression, and preoperative psychosexual difficulties. 18 …”

“…,23Y25 the FSFI,21,22,27 the SXF scale, or sexual single items of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 and the general sex life domain of the ePAQ-PF26,28 …”

Update on sentinel lymph node biopsy for early-stage vulvar cancer

“…Novackova et al observed worse fatigue and lymphedema in patients undergoing full inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy than in those undergoing SLN biopsy [24]. Forner et al found that inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy had a negative impact on sexual function [25]. A recent small study by Rob's group showed better quality of life after SLN biopsy only than after SLN biopsy and inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy.…”

Perceived Health-Related Quality of Life in Women With Vulvar Neoplasia: A Cross Sectional Study

“…In our study, the PCS score is lower than in other studies focusing on postsurgical QoL of women with VC, ranging from 46 (mean) 25 and 50 to 52 (median). 21,22 It has to be considered that these studies included patients from 12 to 24 months, 22 up to 36 months, 21 and up to 10 years 25 after surgery. One reason for higher PCS scores could be that women's physical condition improves due to wound healing.…”

“…In other studies focussing on women with VC, the MCS score ranged from 49 (mean) 25 and 52 to 53 (median). 21,22 It can be assumed that psychological strain was higher after surgery than months or years afterward. This result seems to be consistent with other research, indicating that psychosocial discomforts, for example, insecurity or changes in body image, are recurrent postsurgical symptoms in women with vulvar neoplasia.…”