QOLP-21. A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND SEXUAL FUNCTION IN BRAIN CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract

Abstract As cancer treatment has advanced, quality of life (QoL) has become a significant consideration in patient and survivor care. The 2005 Institute of Medicine Cancer Survivorship Care Planning guide requires the inclusion of information on the possible effects of cancer on marital/partner relationship and sexual functioning, among other factors related to QoL. The purpose of this study is to explore the rates and types of sexual dysfunction among brain cancer patients. Patients were recruited from a neuro-oncology practice and given a QoL questionnaire (FACT-Br). Women were given the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Men were given scales to assess premature ejaculation (PE), erectile dysfunction (ED), and Peyronie’s disease. In addition, information about site and type of tumor and treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) was collected. Descriptive statistics as well as T-tests and ANOVAs were used to analyze the data. Data were collected from 50 patients. The most common form of brain tumor in this sample was glioblastoma. The frontal lobe was the most common location of tumors. There was significantly more sexual dysfunction than previously reported, with 66% of the sexually active women meeting criteria for total FSFI. Of the men who were sexually active, 60% reported some ED and 80% reported PE. QoL measures were correlated with sexual dysfunction. Our capacity to address sexual function concerns of patients is dependent on our understanding the types of difficulties encountered. This study provides preliminary information about the effect of brain cancer diagnosis and treatment on a major contributor to QoL in these patients.