Sexuality in head and neck cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To describe sexual functioning and its relationship with age, extent of disfigurement, performance status, and psychological functioning in head and neck cancer patients following radiation therapy with or without surgery.


METHODS
Descriptive study, self-report survey, convenience sample.


METHODS
Academic tertiary care Veterans Administration Medical Center.


METHODS
Fifty-five of 101 consenting patients responded to the questionnaire. Mean age of the patients was 65.1 years (range 48 to 76); 54 were men. The mean duration since diagnosis was 30.6 months (range 3 to 216). All patients received radiation therapy and 26 also underwent surgery.


METHODS
Instruments included were: The Derogatis inventory of Sexual Functioning, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Hopkins Symptom Check List, and List Performance Status Scale.


RESULTS
Eighty-five percent showed interest in sex. Fifty-eight percent were satisfied with their current sexual partner and 49% were satisfied with their current sexual functioning. Most of them were able to fantasize: however, a majority reported arousal problems, 58% did not participate in sexual intercourse, and 58% had orgasmic problems. Most patients were not depressed. As a group these patients reported significantly more somatic distress but significantly less generalized feeling of distress when compared with a group of nonpatient nurses. Patients with "powerful others" locus of control showed significantly worse sexual functioning. There was no correlation between sexual functioning and performance status or severity of disfigurement. Patients younger than 65 years of age had more advanced disease, lower performance status and significantly poorer sexual functioning; those older than 65 years were more satisfied with their sexual partner and current sexual functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite experiencing sexual problems, sexuality continues to be a priority in the majority of patients studied.
Monga
U
U
Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, TX 77030, USA.
Tan
G
G
Ostermann
H J
HJ
Monga
T N
TN
D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019529:Sexuality