1674P - Assessment of sexuality in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) can have implications on the sexual health of patients suffering from this cancer. This can be affected by various factors, whether it be the cancer itself, the treatments administered, or the associated psychological stress. However, sexual disorders are often overlooked in the management of these patients. The aim: is to assess the sexual health of patients with NPC at different stages of their treatment.

Methods

This is a descriptive analytical study evaluating sexual health in adult patients with NPC using EORTC SHQ-C22 Questionnaire. Thirty married patients were included between September and December 2023. The mean age was 45 years [32-68] with a sex ratio of 4 (24/6). Tumor stage (III) was the most represented (25 patients; 83.3%). The questionnaire was translated into colloquial Arabic and administered during treatment for 27 patients (71.4%), and within the first 6 months of follow-up for 3 patients. All patients resided at home with their spouses at the time of the questionnaire.

Results

According to the EORTC SHQ-C22 scale, 17 patients were not sexually active (not at all or a little) during treatment (56.6%) with a feeling of sexual satisfaction (often or quite often) in 17 patients (70.8%). Thirteen patients (43.3%) considered sexual activity to be enjoyable (often or quite often). A negative impact of fatigue and treatment on sexual activity was experienced by 14 patients (46.6%, often or quite often) and a feeling of inability to satisfy their partner was felt by 12 patients (7% a little, 10% often, and 73% quite often). Sexual activity was not painful for 26 patients (86.6%), and concerns about pain during sexual intercourse or intimate physical contact were not felt by 21 patients (70%). Discussion with a doctor about sexuality was absent in most cases (27 patients, 90%). Communication with the partner about sexuality was unsatisfactory in all patients (90% did not communicate and 10% communicated very little). The median score of the EORTC SHQ-C22 was 67 [30-75]. Among these patients, 7 patients (23.3%) wished to receive treatment for their sexuality, and no patient was using any specific sexual treatment.

Conclusions

The search for sexual disorders in patients with NPC is essential, for better quality of life.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Institut National d'Oncologie Rabat.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.