Final results from a longitudinal observation study evaluating sexual health and facial appearance and distress in human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer survivors treated with chemoradiotherapy: Sexual health and facial appearance in HPV OPC.
Lachlan McDowell, Karla Gough, Tsien Fua, Andrew Coleman, Allison Drosdowsky, Danny Rischin, June Corry
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Abstract
Purpose: This communication reports on the complete results of a prospective study evaluating sexual health and appearance-related outcomes in human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer (HPVOPC) survivors treated with (chemo)radiotherapy ((C)RT).
Methods and materials: One hundred HPVOPC patients scheduled to receive curative-intent (C)RT were enrolled onto a longitudinal observational study between October 2020 and November 2021. Sexual health was measured using the EORTC Sexual Health Questionnaire (QLQ-SHQ22) and appearance-related issues were measured using FACE-Q Appearance and Appearance distress modules. Questionnaires were administered before (C)RT, in the last week of treatment (week 7), and 3, 12 and 24 months after (C)RT. Linear mixed models estimated mean differences at follow-up assessments compared to before (C)RT.
Results: Global tests of differences across time provided moderate to strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no differences for all QLQ-SHQ22 scales/items, apart from sexual pain and insecurity with partner (both P > .10). Compared to before (C)RT, the remainder of item/scale scores indicated worse sexual health in the last week of treatment, convalescing to pretreatment levels by 3 months (importance of sexual activity, worry incontinence), 12 months (sexual satisfaction, libido, fatigue affecting sex life) or 24 months (treatment affecting sex life, confidence in erection) after treatment. On average, feeling less masculine scores did not return to pretreatment levels by the final assessment. Appearance distress, but not facial appearance, was worse in the last week of treatment but improved by 3 months post-treatment.
Conclusions: Most sexual health outcomes impacted by (C)RT return to pretreatment levels by 3, 12 or 24 months. Temporary appearance distress was reported at the end of treatment. This communication provides multidimensional sexual health data to strengthen counselling of HPVOPC patients.
期刊介绍：
International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (IJROBP), known in the field as the Red Journal, publishes original laboratory and clinical investigations related to radiation oncology, radiation biology, medical physics, and both education and health policy as it relates to the field.
This journal has a particular interest in original contributions of the following types: prospective clinical trials, outcomes research, and large database interrogation. In addition, it seeks reports of high-impact innovations in single or combined modality treatment, tumor sensitization, normal tissue protection (including both precision avoidance and pharmacologic means), brachytherapy, particle irradiation, and cancer imaging. Technical advances related to dosimetry and conformal radiation treatment planning are of interest, as are basic science studies investigating tumor physiology and the molecular biology underlying cancer and normal tissue radiation response.
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