Quality of Life and Sexual, Bladder, and Intestinal Dysfunctions After Class III Nerve-Sparing and Class II Radical Hysterectomies: A Questionnaire-Based Study. Issue 5 (1st July 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ditto, Antonino; Martinelli, Fabio; Borreani, Claudia; Kusamura, Shigeki; Hanozet, Francesco; Brunelli, Cinzia; Rossi, Gabriela; Solima, Eugenio; Fontanelli, Rosanna; Zanaboni, Flavia; Grijuela, Barbara; Raspagliesi, Francesco
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynecological cancer. Volume 19:Issue 5(2009)
• Page Start: 953-957
• Page End: 953-957
• Publication Date: 2009-07-01
• Subjects: Cervical cancer -- Radical hysterectomy -- Nerve-sparing technique -- Quality of life -- Questionnaire; Generative organs, Female -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.99465
• DOI: 10.1111/IGC.0b013e3181a2d171
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1048-891X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: To compare quality of life and bladder, intestinal, and sexual dysfunctions in 2 groups of patients undergoing different types of radical hysterectomies (RHs). Methods: Patients with cervical cancer who underwent RH have been enrolled in a questionnaire-based study. Quality of life (QoL) and bladder, intestinal, and sexual dysfunctions were evaluated with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cervix (FACT-Cx). Patients were grouped according to the type of RH: group 1, class II RH and group 2, class III nerve-sparing RH (NSRH). Results: Of 157 women included in the study, 127 filled out the questionnaire. Overall, QoL score assessed with the FACT questionnaire did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The FACT subscales assessing physical, functional, emotional, and social well-being did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, whereas the FACT-Cx subscales assessing disease-related symptoms in group 2 patients showed a significantly worse score (72 vs 66; P = 0.03). Evaluating singularly the 15 items of the Cx subscales assessing disease-related symptoms, we did not find any significant difference between the 2 groups, but only Cx1 ("I am bothered by discharge or bleeding from my vagina") was significantly worse in group 2 patients. At univariate analysis, we found that NSRH and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) impact negatively on the FACT-Cx subscales regarding pelvic visceral function. However, at multivariate analysis, only adjuvant RT impact negatively. Conclusions: Patients submitted to class III NSRH did not present worse QoL and pelvic visceral dysfunctions when compared with class II RH. The RT seems to be a factor impacting negatively on bladder and sexual function.