Sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer - Comparison of treatment modalities

G JonkerPool; JP vanBasten; HJ Hoekstra; MF vanDriel; DT Sleijfer; HBM vandeWiel; H. Schraffordt Koops

Sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer - Comparison of treatment modalities

G JonkerPool, JP vanBasten, HJ Hoekstra, MF vanDriel, DT Sleijfer, HBM vandeWiel, H. Schraffordt Koops

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

BACKGROUND. This retrospective study evaluates changes in sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer and investigates whether there is a relationship with different treatment modalities.

METHODS. A self-reported questionnaire was sent to 337 men who had been treated for testicular cancer at the University Hospital Groningen between 1977 and 1994. Medical information was obtained from the patient records.

RESULTS. A response was received from 287 men (85%); 264 patients were included in this study (78%). The mean patient age at follow-up was 37.7 years (range, 17-71 years). The mean follow-up period was 6.7 years (range, 0.25-18 years). Decrease in sexual functions was reported by 40% of patients (decrease in libido: 19%; arousal: 12% erection: 12.5%; orgasm: 19%; and ejaculation: 26%). Moreover, 23.5% of patients responding reported decreased sexual activity and 12.5% were dissatisfied with their sexual functioning. Patients with Stage II-IV nonseminoma who had been treated with polychemotherapy (PCT) with or without resection of residual retroperitoneal tumor mass (RRRTM) (PCT +/- RRRTM) reported a significantly sharper decrease in sexual functioning than patients who had been followed with a wait-and-see policy (W & S) (Stage I nonseminoma patients). It was noteworthy that patients treated by PCT alone reported more sharply decreased sexual functioning than patients treated by PCT + RRRTM, Patients treated by radiotherapy (Stage I-IIA seminoma) did not report findings significantly different from the W & S group.

CONCLUSIONS. Testicular cancer patients are at risk for reduced sexual functioning, especially when treated by chemotherapy, with or without resection of residual tumor. Although chemotherapy way influence somatic aspects of sexual functioning, it appears that psychologic factors arising From the confrontation with testicular cancer play a strongly mediating (if not determining) role. (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	454-464
Number of pages	11
Journal	Cancer
Volume	80
Issue number	3
Publication status	Published - 1-Aug-1997

Keywords

testis
testicular cancer
sexual functioning
sexuality
treatment
self-report questionnaire
GERM-CELL TUMORS
LYMPH-NODE DISSECTION
RETROPERITONEAL LYMPHADENECTOMY
TESTIS CANCER
COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY
MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS
SERUM TESTOSTERONE
RADIATION-THERAPY
HODGKINS-DISEASE
NON-SEMINOMA

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@article{3563320865a7490cbb2e55c30cc54b89,

title = "Sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer - Comparison of treatment modalities",

abstract = "BACKGROUND. This retrospective study evaluates changes in sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer and investigates whether there is a relationship with different treatment modalities.METHODS. A self-reported questionnaire was sent to 337 men who had been treated for testicular cancer at the University Hospital Groningen between 1977 and 1994. Medical information was obtained from the patient records.RESULTS. A response was received from 287 men (85%); 264 patients were included in this study (78%). The mean patient age at follow-up was 37.7 years (range, 17-71 years). The mean follow-up period was 6.7 years (range, 0.25-18 years). Decrease in sexual functions was reported by 40% of patients (decrease in libido: 19%; arousal: 12% erection: 12.5%; orgasm: 19%; and ejaculation: 26%). Moreover, 23.5% of patients responding reported decreased sexual activity and 12.5% were dissatisfied with their sexual functioning. Patients with Stage II-IV nonseminoma who had been treated with polychemotherapy (PCT) with or without resection of residual retroperitoneal tumor mass (RRRTM) (PCT +/- RRRTM) reported a significantly sharper decrease in sexual functioning than patients who had been followed with a wait-and-see policy (W & S) (Stage I nonseminoma patients). It was noteworthy that patients treated by PCT alone reported more sharply decreased sexual functioning than patients treated by PCT + RRRTM, Patients treated by radiotherapy (Stage I-IIA seminoma) did not report findings significantly different from the W & S group.CONCLUSIONS. Testicular cancer patients are at risk for reduced sexual functioning, especially when treated by chemotherapy, with or without resection of residual tumor. Although chemotherapy way influence somatic aspects of sexual functioning, it appears that psychologic factors arising From the confrontation with testicular cancer play a strongly mediating (if not determining) role. (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.",

keywords = "testis, testicular cancer, sexual functioning, sexuality, treatment, self-report questionnaire, GERM-CELL TUMORS, LYMPH-NODE DISSECTION, RETROPERITONEAL LYMPHADENECTOMY, TESTIS CANCER, COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY, MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS, SERUM TESTOSTERONE, RADIATION-THERAPY, HODGKINS-DISEASE, NON-SEMINOMA",

author = "G JonkerPool and JP vanBasten and HJ Hoekstra and MF vanDriel and DT Sleijfer and HBM vandeWiel and {Schraffordt Koops}, H.",

year = "1997",

month = aug,

day = "1",

language = "English",

volume = "80",

pages = "454--464",

journal = "Cancer",

issn = "0008-543X",

publisher = "Wiley",

number = "3",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer - Comparison of treatment modalities

AU - JonkerPool, G

AU - vanBasten, JP

AU - Hoekstra, HJ

AU - vanDriel, MF

AU - Sleijfer, DT

AU - vandeWiel, HBM

AU - Schraffordt Koops, H.

PY - 1997/8/1

Y1 - 1997/8/1

N2 - BACKGROUND. This retrospective study evaluates changes in sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer and investigates whether there is a relationship with different treatment modalities.METHODS. A self-reported questionnaire was sent to 337 men who had been treated for testicular cancer at the University Hospital Groningen between 1977 and 1994. Medical information was obtained from the patient records.RESULTS. A response was received from 287 men (85%); 264 patients were included in this study (78%). The mean patient age at follow-up was 37.7 years (range, 17-71 years). The mean follow-up period was 6.7 years (range, 0.25-18 years). Decrease in sexual functions was reported by 40% of patients (decrease in libido: 19%; arousal: 12% erection: 12.5%; orgasm: 19%; and ejaculation: 26%). Moreover, 23.5% of patients responding reported decreased sexual activity and 12.5% were dissatisfied with their sexual functioning. Patients with Stage II-IV nonseminoma who had been treated with polychemotherapy (PCT) with or without resection of residual retroperitoneal tumor mass (RRRTM) (PCT +/- RRRTM) reported a significantly sharper decrease in sexual functioning than patients who had been followed with a wait-and-see policy (W & S) (Stage I nonseminoma patients). It was noteworthy that patients treated by PCT alone reported more sharply decreased sexual functioning than patients treated by PCT + RRRTM, Patients treated by radiotherapy (Stage I-IIA seminoma) did not report findings significantly different from the W & S group.CONCLUSIONS. Testicular cancer patients are at risk for reduced sexual functioning, especially when treated by chemotherapy, with or without resection of residual tumor. Although chemotherapy way influence somatic aspects of sexual functioning, it appears that psychologic factors arising From the confrontation with testicular cancer play a strongly mediating (if not determining) role. (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.

AB - BACKGROUND. This retrospective study evaluates changes in sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer and investigates whether there is a relationship with different treatment modalities.METHODS. A self-reported questionnaire was sent to 337 men who had been treated for testicular cancer at the University Hospital Groningen between 1977 and 1994. Medical information was obtained from the patient records.RESULTS. A response was received from 287 men (85%); 264 patients were included in this study (78%). The mean patient age at follow-up was 37.7 years (range, 17-71 years). The mean follow-up period was 6.7 years (range, 0.25-18 years). Decrease in sexual functions was reported by 40% of patients (decrease in libido: 19%; arousal: 12% erection: 12.5%; orgasm: 19%; and ejaculation: 26%). Moreover, 23.5% of patients responding reported decreased sexual activity and 12.5% were dissatisfied with their sexual functioning. Patients with Stage II-IV nonseminoma who had been treated with polychemotherapy (PCT) with or without resection of residual retroperitoneal tumor mass (RRRTM) (PCT +/- RRRTM) reported a significantly sharper decrease in sexual functioning than patients who had been followed with a wait-and-see policy (W & S) (Stage I nonseminoma patients). It was noteworthy that patients treated by PCT alone reported more sharply decreased sexual functioning than patients treated by PCT + RRRTM, Patients treated by radiotherapy (Stage I-IIA seminoma) did not report findings significantly different from the W & S group.CONCLUSIONS. Testicular cancer patients are at risk for reduced sexual functioning, especially when treated by chemotherapy, with or without resection of residual tumor. Although chemotherapy way influence somatic aspects of sexual functioning, it appears that psychologic factors arising From the confrontation with testicular cancer play a strongly mediating (if not determining) role. (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.

KW - testis

KW - testicular cancer

KW - sexual functioning

KW - sexuality

KW - treatment

KW - self-report questionnaire

KW - GERM-CELL TUMORS

KW - LYMPH-NODE DISSECTION

KW - RETROPERITONEAL LYMPHADENECTOMY

KW - TESTIS CANCER

KW - COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY

KW - MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS

KW - SERUM TESTOSTERONE

KW - RADIATION-THERAPY

KW - HODGKINS-DISEASE

KW - NON-SEMINOMA

M3 - Article

SN - 0008-543X

VL - 80

SP - 454

EP - 464

JO - Cancer

JF - Cancer

IS - 3

ER -

Sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer - Comparison of treatment modalities

Abstract

Keywords

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