Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Introduction Health-related quality of life has become an important issue in cancer care. However, one aspect of quality of life that has received scant attention is the impact of the cancer on the sexual function of patients. Aim In women with vulvar cancer, surgical treatment can affect sexual functioning based on anatomical, physiological, psychological and relational mechanisms. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate sexual adjustment of women with vulvar cancer during a follow-up period of 1 year after surgical treatment and to compare the results with healthy control women. Methods Participants completed questionnaires assessing sexual function, depression, relationship satisfaction and overall well-being just before surgery, six months and one year after treatment. Results Twenty-nine women with vulvar cancer and 29 healthy controls completed the survey. Compared to the pre-surgery status, no significant differences were found in sexual and psychosocial function in women after surgery for vulvar cancer. However, compared to healthy controls, women with vulvar cancer reported significantly lower psychological well-being and quality of the partner relationship, both before and after treatment. Moreover, compared to healthy controls, significantly more vulvar cancer patients reported pre- and postoperative sexual dysfunctions, such as entry and deep dyspareunia, abdominal pain during intercourse, reduced ability to achieve an orgasm and reduced intensity of the orgasm. Conclusion This prospective study yielded no differences in terms of sexual and psychosocial functioning for women with vulvar cancer before and after vulvectomy. However, when compared to healthy controls, patients with vulvar cancer are at high risk for sexual dysfunctions and psychosocial impairment, both before and after surgical treatment. The results underscore the necessity of assessing sexual well-being prior to and following treatment as part of the standard clinical care