ASSESSMENT OF THE SEXUAL FUNCTION AFTER RECTAL CANCER SURGERY

Introduction: Sexual functioning is one of the most important components of subjective term quality of life. The growing incidence of rectal cancer recent decades lead to a tendency to optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic process, to perform better staging and postoperative disease control. Clearing the operational plan to achieve radicality and preservation of pelvic autonomic innervation are key components affecting sexual function and subsequent quality of life of patients.

It was used data from questionnaires QLQ C30 and QLQ C38 to assess sexual function, according to the methodology of the EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer). Information was collected of 71 patients operated and monitored in Complex Cancer Center of Veliko Tarnovo during the period 01.2005-06.2010 year. It compares 38 underwent sphincter-sparing operations and 33 abdominoperineal resections having definitive stoma. Patients had fulfilled questionnaires more than six full months after surgery forming a functional scale related to sexual function.

A significantly higher number men after abdominoperineal resection have trouble to ejaculate compared to patients after anterior resection of the rectum. Statistically significant difference in sexual function between studied groups was observed in the male sex.

The psychometric values of the self-perception of health were highest after treatment of high rectal carcinomas. Sphincter-spared men after rectal resection had significant fewer problems with ejaculation, compared with patients suffered abdominoperinealna cutter. Sexual dysfunction was significantly more common in men underwent rectum extirpation compared to patients undergoing conservative surgery.