Sexual satisfaction and quality of life in survivors of localized cervical and ovarian cancers following fertility-sparing surgery

• Sexual satisfaction/QOL are compared between FSS and comprehensive surgery for localized GYN cancer.
• Sexual dissatisfaction and poor sexual quality of life are prevalent among these survivors.
• FSS may preserve childbearing potential, but does not confer improved sexual satisfaction/QOL.

ObjectiveTo determine if sexual satisfaction and sexual quality of life (QOL) are different in survivors of localized cervical and ovarian cancers who undergo fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) as compared with standard surgery.Methods470 survivors of localized cervical and ovarian cancers diagnosed between the ages of 18–40 were recruited from the California Cancer Registry to complete a cross-sectional survey. Validated questionnaires were used to assess sexual satisfaction and sexual QOL.Results228 women with localized cervical cancer and 125 with localized ovarian cancer completed the survey. In the cervical cancer group, 92 underwent FSS. Compared with the 84 women who did not undergo FSS (had a hysterectomy, but retained at least one ovary), there was no significant difference in sexual satisfaction or sexual QOL mean scores in women who maintained their uterus (cold-knife cone or trachelectomy), after controlling for age and menopausal status. 82 women with ovarian cancer underwent FSS. Compared with the 39 women that had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, we found no significant differences in sexual satisfaction or sexual QOL in women who maintained at least one ovary (USO or cystectomy), after controlling for age and menopausal status.ConclusionsWhile FSS may allow for post-treatment fertility, it may not confer a significant benefit with regard to sexual satisfaction or sexual QOL. Thus, the decision to perform FSS should not be dictated based on preservation of sexual functioning.