Sexual Dysfunction in Gynecologic Cancer Patients
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WCRJ 2017; 4 (1): e835 SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN GYNECOLOGIC CANCER PATIENTS L. DEL PUP Division of Gynecological Oncology, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Aviano (PN), Italy. Abstract – Objective: Sexual dysfunction is prevalent among gynecologic cancer survivors and strongly impacts on the quality of life (QoL), but the subject is poorly diagnosed and treated. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search of English language studies on sex- ual dysfunctions due to gynecologic cancer treatment has been conducted on MEDLINE databases. Results: Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can cause any kind of sexual dysfunction with different mechanisms: psychological and relational, hormonal and pharmacological, neurological and vascular, side effects of chemo and radiation therapies, and direct effects of surgery on sexually involved pelvic organs. Many patients expect their healthcare providers to address sexual health concerns, but most have never discussed sex-related issues with their physician, or they do not re- ceive a proper treatment or referral. This can have medical legal consequences, because it must be discussed and documented before starting treatment. Conclusions: Oncology providers can make a significant impact on the QoL of gynecologic cancer sur- vivors by informing patients and by asking them for sexual health concerns. Counseling is per se beneficial, as it improves QoL. Furthermore, it permits a proper referral and resolution of most symptoms. KEYWORDS: Gynecologic cancer, Sexual dysfunction, Vulvar cancer, Vaginal cancer, Cervical cancer, Endometrial cancer, Ovarian cancer, Ospemifene. INTRODUCTION ly ask about sexual issues, but 64% state that phy- sicians never initiates the conversation during their The proportion of people living with and surviv- care3. ing gynecologic cancer is growing. This has led to Understanding, evaluating, and treating the increased awareness on the importance of quality sexual health issues encountered during treatment of life (QoL), including sexual functions, in those and survivorship are crucial to the comprehensive affected by cancer. Sexual dysfunction is a very care of gynecologic cancer patients. frequent and underestimated long-term complica- Many survivors are older women, and some tion of gynecologic cancer treatments1. clinicians believe that sexual health issues are less Despite the high prevalence of sexual dysfunc- important to these women. Research indicates tion in gynecologic cancer survivors, attention this is not true. Sexual activity, behaviors, and to sexual health issues by healthcare providers is sex-related problems of over 3000 U.S. adults 57 still suboptimal. Patients would like to have more to 85 years of age have been investigated and it information regarding the effects of treatment on has been found that the majority of older adults sexual health before therapy and desire counsel- engage in intimate relationships and regard sexu- ing post-treatment to address sexual health2, even ality as an important part of life4. if most of them do not ask directly. In order to help all staff involved in gyneco- Seventy-four percent of long-term gynecologic logic cancer treatment, a review of the literature cancer survivors believe physicians should regular- is presented. Corresponding Author: Lino Del Pup, MD; e-mail: [email protected] 1 METHODS Some drugs can further affect sexuality, like antidepressants or drugs used for co morbidities A comprehensive literature search of English like cardiovascular drugs. language studies on sexual dysfunctions due to Side effects of chemotherapy and radiothera- gynecologic cancer treatment was conducted in py can increase the frequency of genito-urinary MEDLINE databases. infections or induce a mechanic vulnerability to the vaginal epithelium, which enhances atrophy related symptoms7. RESULTS The effect on pelvic organs can be indirect when there is a neurological and/or vascular damage. Even though gynecologic cancer treatments Gynecological invasive surgery creates most greatly affect sexual health, for cultural reasons of the difficulties in treating sexual dysfunctions. this subject is poorly studied and under-discussed. Procedures for fertility preservation, laparoscopy, This can have medical legal consequences, be- sentinel lymph node mapping, robotic and risk-re- cause this issue must be discussed and document- ducing surgery can decrease treatment sequelae8. ed before starting treatment. Reasons why gynecologic oncology surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy can cause sexual RISK-REDUCING SALPINGO-OOPHO dysfunction are listed in Table 1. RECTOMY (RRSO) Most of the consequences of cancer treatment are psychological, as body image and relation are Women with Hereditary Breast Ovarian Cancer often affected. Cancer impacts dramatically on Syndrome (BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations) woman’s sexuality, sexual functioning, intimate re- have up to a 60% lifetime ovarian cancer risk and lationships and sense of self. Sexual functioning can up to an 84% breast cancer risk9. Not only cancer be affected by illness, pain, anxiety, anger, stressful treatments cause gynecological dysfunctions but circumstances and medications. There is a growing also when gynecologic surgery is prophylactic as acknowledgment that these needs are not being ap- for risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) propriately addressed by health providers. Psycho- in BRCA patients. therapy plays an essential role in the management Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer as- of these issues. A review of the literature reveals sociated with mutations in DNA mismatch repair that the recent trends among health psychologists genes (most commonly MLH1 and MSH2) have are to utilize psycho educational interventions that up to a 60% lifetime risk of endometrial cancer include combined elements of cognitive and behav- and up to a 12% risk of ovarian cancer. ioral therapy with education and mindfulness train- Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy reduces the ing. Intervention studies have found positive effects risk of breast cancer by more than 90%, but its from this approach, particularly within the areas of sexual side effects can be the loss of skin and nip- arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, overall well-being, and ple sensation, scars, and changes in self-image. decreased depression. The essential part of success Prophylactic RRSO, removal of their ovaries and is the providers’ appreciation of this serious problem fallopian tubes by the age of 35 years or on comple- and willingness and comfort in addressing it5. tion of childbearing, reduces the risk of ovarian can- Most of the patients undergo early menopause cer by more than 80% and breast cancer by 50%. Sex from ovariectomy or from the effects of chemo or affecting side effects can frequently be the abrupt and radiotherapy on ovaries. Surgical menopause af- severe side effects of surgical menopause including fects female sexual performance mostly because vaginal dryness and irritation, pain with penetration, of reduced vaginal lubrication6, so proper evalua- decreased arousal, and loss of desire. tion in each case and adequate treatment of vagi- The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction nal atrophy are very important. (FSD) after RRSO is 74% and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is 73%10. Sexually active women belonging to the RRSO TABLE 1. Reasons why gynecologic oncology surgery, ra- group report higher levels of sexual discomfort, diation, and/or chemotherapy can cause sexual dysfunction. lower levels of sexual pleasure, and lower sexual Psychological and relational activity than the controls. Hormone replacement Hormonal and menopausal therapy (HRT) users in the RRSO group have re- Pharmacological effects ported less discomfort compared with nonusers, Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy Neurological and vascular damage to pelvis but there is no association between HRT use and Direct effects of surgery on sexually involved organs. sexual pleasure score. These are the main hypoth- esis to explain that: 2 SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN GYNECOLOGIC CANCER PATIENTS • Maybe more postmenopausal symptoms are Patients who are not sexually active follow- elected for HRT ing radical vulvectomy cite genital complications • Women without substantial complaints repre- from their surgery as the reason for abstinence23. sent the nonusers Age, depression, and worsening functional • Systemic estrogen increases the level of SHBG status are risk factors for sexual dysfunction in [thereby reducing the concentration of bio- vulvar cancer24, while there is no association with available androgens. This effect may not only the extent of surgical resection25. contribute to the lack of therapeutic effect re- Vulvectomy patients in whom the clitoris has garding sexual dysfunction, but even impair been spared, like those who have undergone laser androgen-related aspects of sexual function- or partial resection of the clitoris report signifi- ing. cantly fewer problems with arousal in comparison • HRT might simply not have the assumed effects to those whose clitoris has been ablated20. on sexual functioning. Inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy is a part of surgical management in certain vulvar cancer pa- tients. Sentinel lymph node dissection has been VULVAR CANCER shown to decrease sexual morbidities, while com- plete groin dissection is more associated with sex- Oncological treatment of vulvar cancer creates ual dysfunction and surgery complications, both sexual morbidity because in recent years more in the short term