title: Sexual function after intracavitary vaginal brachytherapy for early-stage endometrial carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the effects of intracavitary brachytherapy (IVB) on sexual function and quality of life of women with early-stage endometrial cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I to stage II endometrial cancer treated surgically with or without IVB were identified and mailed questionnaires. Quality of life and sexual function were measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and the cervical cancer disease-specific module. Pertinent data from prior surgery and radiation treatments were abstracted retrospectively. Linear transformation of the survey subscale scores was conducted per European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen women in the IVB arm and 53 in the surgery-alone group completed the survey. Of the sexually active patients, 33% of the IVB patients and 42% of the surgery-alone patients felt their vagina was dry during sexual activity (P = 0.804) and 17% versus 20% felt their vagina was short (P = 0.884). Seventeen percent of patients in the IVB group felt their vagina was tight compared to 29% in the surgery-alone group (P = 0.891) and 0% versus 14% of patients reported pain during intercourse (P = 0.808). There was no statistically significant difference in sexual/vaginal functioning, sexual worry, or sexual enjoyment between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although both groups report vaginal changes that may affect sexual function, the patients treated with IVB reported similar outcomes on a sexual function questionnaire compared to patients treated with surgery alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Stephanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, Columbus, OH 43212, USA. Allison.quick@osumc.edu
authors.forename: Allison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Quick
authors.forename: Leigh G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Seamon
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdel-Rasoul
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salani
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult