Multidisciplinary Approach to Sexual Dysfunction in Persons With Lung Cancer-Spanish Lung Cancer Group Expert...

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common adverse effect of oncologic treatment; however, sexual health assessment is not routinely included in the follow-up of persons with lung cancer (LC).

The Spanish Lung Cancer Group conducted a formal consensus process to develop recommendations for a multidisciplinary approach to SD in persons with LC. Mixed methods combining a modified Delphi technique and a nominal group process were used to guide the discussions on the selected topics.

The consensus process was conducted between May and October 2024. A panel of 28 Spanish experts-including medical oncologists, gynecologists, urologists, family physicians, sexologists, psychologists, one psychiatrist, and one oncology nurse-was convened to address the multidimensional aspects of sexuality. A 33-item questionnaire was developed for the voting process, which comprised two rounds followed by a final nominal group meeting. The threshold for agreement among experts was set at 85%. In cases in which scientific evidence was limited or controversial, recommendations were based on expert clinical experience. The primary topics addressed included patient education on SD, screening and follow-up strategies, the composition and role of the multidisciplinary team, referral criteria among team members, and both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic management of SD.

This document presents the suggestions developed through expert panel discussions and summarizes the available scientific evidence supporting them. Given the absence of specific guidelines addressing sexual health assessment through oncologic follow-up of people with LC, this consensus may help improve clinical care and quality of life for this population in real-world practice.