Abstract 136P
Background
Clinicians managing EO-CRC pts face additional challenges, including chemotherapy (CT) impact on fertility and sexuality. Nowadays, despite increasing incidence of EO-CRC, evidence on these specific topics still lacks.
Methods
This is a retrospective survey, aiming to describe management of fertility and sexuality of EO-CRC pts treated at our institution between 2013 and 2023. Pts’ population included individuals aged <=50 yrs, diagnosed with CRC, treated with CT for stage II-IV disease. Fertility was assessed for stage II-III pts, currently or previously treated with adjuvant CT, while sexuality was assessed for stage II-IV pts, currently or previously (within 6 months) treated with CT. Sexuality was assessed via EORTC SH22 questionnaire. Data were collected via anonymous online survey.
Results
139 pts with the above mentioned characteristics were selected out of a database of 678 pts, and were offered the survey. Of those, 74 pts (53%) completed the survey (9 pts refused to participate and 56 pts never answered despite having provided consent). 43 pts were females and 31 males; 35 pts had stage II-III and 39 pts had stage IV disease. Concerning fertility, 16/35 pts (45%; females 8/17, 47%, and males 8/18, 44%) received counseling. Of those, 6 pts (17%) underwent cryopreservation (3 sperm; 3 ovocytes), and 3 females (8%) received GnRH analogues. 12/16 females (75%) who completed adjuvant CT, experienced an interruption of the menstrual period and 9 of these (75%) never recovered; however, 9/16 (56 %) were at least 45 yrs old at diagnosis. Regarding sexuality, 6/57 pts (10%) had talked about sexual issues with their oncologists (3/33 females and 3/24 males; 2/18 with stage II-III and 4/39 with stage IV). 19/22 females (86 %) and 5/10 males (50%) currently receiving CT reported a libido decrease. Among pts who had received last CT cycle less than 6 months before, 90% of females still had a libido decrease compared to 21% of males.
Conclusions
According to young pts with CRC, fertility issues tend to be part of medical talks more than sexual quality of life. Males seem to recover more than females from CT effects on libido. No gender gap was observed in fertility and sexuality counseling, however both should be improved in the management of EO-CRC.
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.