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Quality of life and gynecologic malignancies

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Abstract

In 2005, an estimated 79,480 new cases of gynecologic malignancies will be diagnosed, and almost 29,000 women will die. Treatment of gynecologic malignancies involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy, all of which may affect a woman’s physical, social, and emotional well-being. Although specific effects on quality of life (QOL) depend on disease site, treatment-, and patient-specific factors, common QOL issues include changes in physical functioning due to side effects of treatment, psychological distress due to fear and anxiety of recurrence, sexual dysfunction associated with anatomic and physiologic changes of treatment, and, for younger women, loss of childbearing potential. As new diagnostic and treatment strategies for gynecologic malignancies are developed, research efforts should include QOL consequences. Further studies are needed to develop strategies for identifying women at risk for serious QOL disruption so that effective interventions to assist these women can be designed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 301437, Unit 1362, 77230-1439, Houston, TX, USA

    Charlotte C. Sun DrPH, Michael Frumovitz MD & Diane C. Bodurka MD

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  1. Charlotte C. Sun DrPH
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  2. Michael Frumovitz MD
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  3. Diane C. Bodurka MD
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Sun, C.C., Frumovitz, M. & Bodurka, D.C. Quality of life and gynecologic malignancies. Curr Oncol Rep 7, 459–465 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-005-0011-3

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