Abstract 239P
Background
The treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer with definitive chemoradiation (CRT) is associated with vaginal toxicity and altered sexual satisfaction. This prospective study compared patient-reported sexual adjustment, vaginal dosimetry, and physician-reported vaginal toxicity in patients with cervical cancer treated with CRT and brachytherapy (BT) following counselling for vaginal dilatation or resuming sexual activities with those who did not comply.
Methods
Between 2016 and 2018, histopathologically proven and staged IB-IVA patients with cervical cancer receiving definitive CRT were enrolled in a feasibility study assessing the impact of compliance and its outcome in terms of sexual adjustment. Patients completed the validated sexual adjustment questionnaire (SAQ) and EORTC CX24 before BT (baseline) and during follow-up. Physician-reported vaginal toxicity was recorded. Dosimetric analysis was done with focus on rectovaginal point, mean vaginal dose, and D2cm3.A multivariable linear mixed-effects model was used to examine the association between total and individual scores (repeated measures) and covariates.
Results
A total of 75 patients complied with the counselling in terms of either resuming sexual activities or using vaginal dilators as compared to 65 patients who did not use any intervention in spite of the counselling. The diagnosis of cervical cancer and treatment negatively impacted sexual relationships in 66% and 68%, respectively. However, counselling and intervention helped improve the sexual adjustment over time (p = 0.023). There were no associations between sexual adjustment and the ICRU defined Measurements of rectovaginal point dose or clinical vaginal involvement. Stage (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.012) and diabetes (p = 0.037) were found to have an important association with delayed adjustments post intervention.
Conclusions
Vaginal stenosis is an important late toxicity associated with radiation therapy and in India, counselling patients for resuming sexual relations can be a taboo. However, our study indicates good compliance among patients for use of intervention to prevent such complications and improved outcomes have been seen.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
412P - The evaluation of chromosomal changes in patients with osteosarcoma
Presenter: Nargiza Karimova
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
413P - The state of molecular biological markers in osteosarcoma
Presenter: Djamilya Polatova
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
414P - Clinical profile of gastrointestinal stromal tumour in Yangon General Hospital
Presenter: Khin Mu
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
415P - Adult soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma: Treatment outcomes and efficacy of chemotherapy
Presenter: Florence Chamberlain
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
417P - Clinicopathological profile and survival outcomes of sarcomas from a regional cancer centre in South India
Presenter: Divya Bharathi
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
418P - Lessons learnt from treatment of foot sarcomas: Analysis from dedicated sarcoma clinic in North India
Presenter: Satyajit Pawar
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
423P - Effectiveness of first-generation 5HT3 receptor antagonist plus dexamethasone plus aprepitant in controlling delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with colorectal cancer: A propensity score-matched analysis
Presenter: Toshinobu Hayashi
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
424P - Cancer worry, genetic knowledge, and attitudes towards NGS multigene panel testing among Korean breast cancer patients
Presenter: Ji Soo Park
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
425P - Economic and safety evaluation of 5-HT3 recepter antagonist conversion from palonosetron to granisetron in highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy: A prospective study
Presenter: Keisuke Yamakita
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
426P - Impaired quality of life of caregivers of patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy
Presenter: Nobumichi Takeuchi
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract