title: A systematic review of quality of life and sexual function of patients with cervical cancer after treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Quality of life (QoL) and sexual health have become increasingly important in cervical cancer survivors (CCSs). The aims of this review were to summarize research findings of QoL and sexual function in CCSs after treatment on the basis of self-reported questionnaires and to update the current knowledge of overall QoL and sexual function in CCSs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies from electronic database between May 1966 and May 2013 were rated on their internal validity as methodological assessment. Thirty-two studies were included, wherein 15 studies had a relatively good methodology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anorectal function, urinary symptoms, and lymphedema were commonly reported as physical symptoms. As to psychosocial domains, the studies illustrated that anxiety decreased with age, whereas depression generally increased with age. Sexual function was involved in most of the studies. Vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, short vagina, and sexual dissatisfaction were prominent issues of sexual dysfunction and vaginal changes in CCSs. In terms of treatment modality, radiotherapy was thought to be associated with worse QoL and sexual function in CCSs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The studies showed that QoL and sexual function in CCSs were compromised compared with the general population to different extents. Quality of life and sexual function should be paid with more attention in patients with cervical cancer after treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Jiaxin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Dongyan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Jinghe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Keng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*