Quality of Life and Sexual Function After Type c2/Type III Radical Hysterectomy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Introduction The introduction of screening programs have made cervical cancer detectable at earlier stages and in younger patients. Nevertheless, only a few studies have examined the QoL and sexual function in disease-free cervical cancer survivors. Aim The objective of this study is to evaluate the sexual function in a cervical cancer patient’s group treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) plus type C2/type III radical hysterectomy (RH). Methods We have enrolled in the oncologic group (OG) sexually active patients affected by cervical cancer (stage IB2 to IIIB) treated with NACT followed by RH. Main Outcome Measures Included subjects were interviewed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-CX24 Questionnaire. Two consecutive assessments were recorded: at the first evaluation postoperatively (T1) and at the 12-month follow-up visit (T2). Results were compared with a benign gynecological disease group (BG) and with a healthy control group (HG). Results A total of 33 patients for OG, 37 for BG, and 35 women for HG were recruited. After surgery, sexual activity has been resumed by 76% of the OG patients and 83.7% of the BG patients (P = not significant). Cancer survivors had clinically worse problems with symptom experience, body image, and sexual/vaginal functioning than controls (P < 0.05). OG patients also reported more severe lymphedema, peripheral neuropathy, menopausal symptoms, and sexual worry. For sexual activity, the score difference between cancer survivors and women with benign gynecological disease is not statically significant. Concerning sexual enjoyment assessment, our study shows comparable results for OG and BG. Conclusion Nevertheless, the worsening of symptom experience, body image, and sexual/vaginal functioning, OG patients have same sexual activity and sexual enjoyment data compared with those of BG patients. Thus, NACT followed by RH could be a valid therapeutic strategy to treat and improve well-being especially in young cervical cancer patients.

Should Every Woman with Gynecologic Cancer Undergo Routine Screening for Psychological Distress and Sexual Dysfunction?

“…No signifi cant differences were found regarding sexual activity (76 % versus 84 %) and sexual enjoyment. Vaginal function, however, was decreased among the cancer survivors [ 102 ]. After radical hysterectomy alone only a slight decrease in sexual function can be expected.…”

Colpohystérectomie élargie par voie cœlioscopique dans les cancers du col utérin : étude de qualité de vie. À propos de 22 cas

“…Peu d'é tudes utilisant des questionnaires validé s tels que ceux de l'EORTC ont é té publié es sur la qualité de vie de ces patientes à l'issue de leur traitement pour cancer du col [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

“…Le but final é tant d'identifier les moyens d'une amé lioration de la qualité de l'aide et d'é coute qui leur est apporté e. Dans notre é tude, le score moyen concernant la sexualité é tait faible. Ces mêmes ré sultats ont é té observé s dans deux autres é tudes [10,13]. Plotti et al [13] ont é valué la fonction sexuelle chez des patientes (n = 33) ayant un cancer du col localement avancé traité par RCC suivie d'une chirurgie radicale en comparaison avec 37 patientes traité es chirurgicalement pour une pathologie bé nigne gyné cologique et 35 femmes en bonne santé constituant le groupe té moin.…”

“…Ces mêmes ré sultats ont é té observé s dans deux autres é tudes [10,13]. Plotti et al [13] ont é valué la fonction sexuelle chez des patientes (n = 33) ayant un cancer du col localement avancé traité par RCC suivie d'une chirurgie radicale en comparaison avec 37 patientes traité es chirurgicalement pour une pathologie bé nigne gyné cologique et 35 femmes en bonne santé constituant le groupe té moin. Aprè s 12 mois de la chirurgie, la fonction sexuelle é tait alté ré e significativement par rapport au groupe té moin.…”

Dose-Dense Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy plus Radical Surgery in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Phase II Study

“…Several advantages have been suggested for NACT plus RS: reduction of tumor burden and possibility of surgical resection, systemic action and consequent loco-regional and distant disease control, impact on prognostic factors and quality of life and sexual function, and sterilization of micrometastasis [5,6]. Among chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin still is the most frequently used drug and the one with the better results in terms of response rate [7,8].…”