Evaluation of Sexual Health in patients with Head and Neck Cancers
PO-1215
Abstract
Evaluation of Sexual Health in patients with Head and Neck Cancers
Authors: Ahmed Jribi1, Nejla Fourati2, Fatma Dhouib1, Syrine Zouari2, Wicem Siala2, Wafa Mnejja2, Jamel Daoud2
1Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Faculty of Medicine University of Sfax, Radiotherapy Dapartment, Sfax, Tunisia; 2Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Faculty of Medicine University of Sfax, Radiotherapy Department, Sfax, Tunisia
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Purpose or Objective
To evaluate sexual health in patients with head and neck cancers at different times of treatment.
Material and Methods
This is a single-center descriptive cohort study evaluating sexual health in adult patients with head and neck cancers through the EORTC Sexual Health Questionnaire scale (EORTC SHQ-C22). Forty patients with active sexuality before diagnosis were included. The median age was 54 years [28-75 y.o] with a sex ratio of 3.4. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma was the most common cancer (24 patients; 60%). The locally advanced tumor stage (III) was the most represented (32 patients; 80%). The questionnaire was filled during treatment for 25 patients (62.5%) and before treatment for 13 patients (32.5%). The majority of patients were living in their own homes at the time of the questionnaire (27 patients; 67.5%).
Treatment included surgery for 7 patients (17.5%), chemotherapy for 24 patients (60%) and radiotherapy for 25 patients (62.5%).
Results
For men, erection and ejaculation were impaired in 10 patients (32.3%). The alteration of libido, orgasm, desire to kiss, vaginal sex and oral sex were observed in 8 (25.8%), 14 (45.2%), 18 (58%), 17 (54.8%) and 19 (61.3%) patients respectively.
For women, decreased libido and orgasm were observed in 2 patients (22.2%). Vaginal sex and oral sex were altered for 3 patients (33.3%) and 4 patients (44.4%) respectively.
According to the EORTC SHQ-C22 scale, 25 patients were not sexually active in the last month (62.5%; not at all or a little). However, patients were feeling sexual satisfaction in 23 cases (57.5%).
Thirty patients (75%) considered sexual activity to be enjoyable (quite a bit or very much). A negative impact of fatigue and treatment on sexual activity was felt in 12 patients (27.5%; quite a bit or very much) and a feeling of inability to satisfy the partner was felt in 10 patients (25%; quite a bit or very much). Sexual activity was not considered painful for 38 patients (95%) and concerns about pain during intercourse or intimate physical contact were not felt for 37 patients (92.5%). communication with a doctor about sexuality was absent in the majority of cases (38 patients; 95%) and communication with the partner was also unsatisfactory in 20 patients (50%; not at all or a little).
The median EORTC SHQ-C22 score was 61 [29-77].
Among patients, 12 patients (30%) desired treatment for their sexuality and only 2 patients (5%) were already taking erection stimulators based on PDE5 inhibitors.
Conclusion
Screening for sexual health alteration among patients with head and neck cancers seems to be essential by all health professionals because this parameter is an integral part of human life and quality of life-related to health. However, this evaluation remains to date quite complex due to the entanglement of several plausible factors in its genesis which remain interesting topics to be exploited in the future in all cancer patients.