ArticleThe journal of sexual medicine2016
Sexual Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Long-Term Rectal Cancer Survivors.
Article in The journal of sexual medicine, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 40 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
40 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 95 citations in OpenAlex.
- Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Ostomy Intestinal Stoma According to Sex and Ostomy Permanence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.International wound journal · 2026Pooled it
- Cancer therapy-related vaginal toxicity: its prevalence and assessment methods-a systematic review.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2025Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Temporary Stoppages and Burden of Treatment in Patients With Cancer.Oncology nursing forum · 2019Trial
- Effect of radiotherapy for rectal cancer on ovarian androgen production.The British journal of surgery · 2019Trial
- "Nobody Told Me": A Qualitative Study of Sexual and Reproductive Concerns After Treatment for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer.Diseases of the colon and rectum · 2026Article
- Sexuality in Adult Cancer Patients Living with Enterostomy or Urostomy: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study.Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2026Article
- Prevalence of self-reported pain in patients 5 years after rectal cancer treatment: results from the prospective QoLiRECT cohort study.Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) · 2026Article
- Sexual Dysfunction after Colorectal Surgery.Clinics in colon and rectal surgery · 2026Review
- Effects of Complex Ventral Hernia and Stoma on Body Image and Interpersonal Relationships.ANZ journal of surgery · 2025Review
- Sexual dysfunction and its impact on quality of life among female haematological cancer patients: a cross-sectional study in Malaysia.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Article
- The quality of life of colorectal cancer patients attending the cancer center in addis Ababa, Ethiopia.BMC cancer · 2025Article
- Quality of life in older patients with cancer and related unmet needs: a scoping review.Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) · 2025Article
- A word of caution in the functional monitoring of patients after rectal cancer surgery: a multicentre observational study.Techniques in coloproctology · 2025Observational
- Analyzing quality of life after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.Irish journal of medical science · 2024Article
- Shared Decision-Making, Sphincter Preservation, and Rectal Cancer Treatment: Identifying and Executing What Matters Most to Patients.Clinics in colon and rectal surgery · 2024Review
- A psychoeducational intervention to improve sexual functioning in male rectal and anal cancer patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial study.Palliative & supportive care · 2024Article
- Sexual dysfunction among early-onset colorectal cancer survivors: Sex-specific correlates of sexual health discussions between patients and providers.Cancer causes & control : CCC · 2024Article
- TiOInternational journal of nanomedicine · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
introductionSexual dysfunction is a treatment sequela in survivors of rectal cancer (RC). Differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) can occur based on ostomy status (permanent ostomy vs anastomosis).
aimTo describe alterations in sexual function and HRQOL based on ostomy status in long-term (≥5 years) survivors of RC.
methodsSurvivors of RC with an ostomy (n = 181) or anastomosis (n = 394) were surveyed using validated HRQOL and functional status tools. We compared sexuality outcomes between the ostomy and anastomosis groups and reported differences adjusted for clinical and demographic characteristics. Qualitative data from one open-ended question on survivors' greatest challenges since their surgery were analyzed to explore sexuality, symptoms, and relationships.
main outcome measuresWhether sexually active, satisfaction with sexual activity, and select sexual dysfunction items from the Modified City of Hope Quality of Life-Colorectal.
resultsSurvivors with a permanent ostomy were more likely to have been sexually inactive after surgery if it occurred before 2000 and experience dissatisfaction with appearance, interference with personal relationships and intimacy, and lower overall HRQOL. Female survivors of RC with an ostomy were more likely to have problems with vaginal strictures and vaginal pain after surgery that persisted at the time of the survey (≥5 years later). Radiation treatment, tumor stage, soilage of garments in bed, and higher Charlson-Deyo comorbidity scores were negatively associated with outcomes. Six qualitative themes emerged: loss of and decreased sexual activity, psychological issues with sexual activity, physical issues with sexual activity, partner rejection, ostomy interference with sexual activity, and positive experiences with sexuality.
conclusionSexual dysfunction is a common long-term sequela of RC treatment, with more problems observed in survivors with a permanent ostomy. This warrants widespread implementation of targeted interventions to manage sexual dysfunction and improve HRQOL for these survivors.
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