[Sexual function and quality of life in locally advanced cervical cancer]

Sexual dysfunction is currently the most common complication of cancer. Most of the time, patients who are concerned by locally advanced cervical cancer are in a period of sexual activity. The primary objective of this study was to assess the quality of life and sexual function of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who were in remission. The secondary objective was to correlate the prognostic factor with sexual dysfunction.

This multicentric and prospective study included the patients with locally advanced cervical cancer diagnosis from three centres. Thirty-one patients with diagnosis of locally advanced cervical cancer were enrolled from February 2007 to October 2008. The mean age was 49years old. Inclusion criteria were to have received the standard therapy by chemoradiotherapy and have been in remission for 2years. Both self-administered questionnaires BISF-W and EORTC QLQ-CX24 allowed scoring quality of life and sexual function.

The rate of completion was 42%. The results confirmed that sexual function was impaired in accordance with sexual satisfaction. After therapy, the frequency of sexual activity was decreased. The functional quality of life was significantly correlated with sexual function. Marital status was a significant prognostic factor. Age, stage and the type of centre were not.

This preliminary study suggests that after 2years of remission of the disease after treatment, patients and their partners need to be helped as regards their sexual function. We propose to perform a prospective study on a larger cohort.