Psychosexual impact of treatment in female genital cancer

Abstract

This paper reviews the necessity of physician sensitivity to the avoidance of sexual dysfunction posttreatment for female genital malignancy. The modalities of therapy differ with the various lesions depending upon the site of the primary lesion and the extent of the disease at the time of treatment. In general, early lesions are treated surgically with less posttherapy dysfunction, less often causing vaginal stenosis and atrophy. The later lesions requiring radiotherapy can be severely destructive to coital function. This can be avoided by scrupulous posttherapy care and counseling so that coitus is resumed. The physician in dealing with the patient being treated for such malignant disease must be aware of many of the myths and anxieties suffered by these patients and must frequently intervene with advice, education, and counseling even though the patient may not verbalize these anxieties.