title: Sexuality in cancer patients.
abstract: The sexual concerns of patients with cancer may be overlooked during the acute stage of illness. Both the general stress of hospitalization and the specific threat of surgery can affect sexuality. Breast cancer and cancer of the reproductive organs cause the most concern, although other tumors can be as devastating. "Ostomies" and limb amputations raise special questions, and radiation therapy affects sexual and reproductive function. Underlying depression has a profound effect.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees / Q000523:psychology; D003125:Colostomy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000523:psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications