In a nutshell
This study investigated the long-term changes in sexual function (SF) in men after rectal cancer surgery. Researchers suggested that SF was not significantly affected by rectal cancer surgery.
Some background
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Of these, around 30% are rectal cancers. Newer cancer therapies improved the prognosis of patients with rectal cancer. Consequently, survival rates also significantly improved. However, some therapies are still associated with negative side effects, such as impaired SF in men. SF is present in 31 to 75% of patients who received rectal cancer surgery.
Most previous studies focused on SF before and after surgery over a follow-up period of 12 months.However, longer-term outcomes on SF after rectal surgery are still not known.
Methods & findings
This study included information about 115 male patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery. All patients had laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery – uses small cuts to insert a camera and very small instruments to cut inside the body). Questionnaires about SF were filled by the patients at diagnosis, at the first treatment time, and 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.
No significant change was observed in SF from the diagnosis to the first treatment. Sexual outcomes such as erectile function, orasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse and overall satisfaction deteriorated after surgery and recovered until 12 months after. However, they did not improve significantly from 12 to 24 months of follow-up.
The bottom line
This study concluded that rectal cancer surgery was not associated with significantly impaired SF in male patients.
The fine print
This study included a limited number of participants. Further studies, with bigger populations, are necessary.
Published By :
Surgical oncology
Date :
Sep 21, 2020
