Assessment of selected quality of life domains in patients who have undergone conservative or radical surgical treatment for penile cancer: an observational study

Abstract

Background Surgery is the standard treatment for organ-restricted penile cancer, but it is also a disfiguring procedure that can profoundly affect quality of life. Using a survey, in this study we assessed the effect of different surgical invasiveness on satisfaction in selected life domains of patients who underwent penile-sparing surgery and partial penectomy. Methods: Forty patients who underwent penile-sparing surgery (n=13) or partial penectomy (n=27) were enrolled in the study. The response rate was 71%. Information was obtained after surgery on sexuality, self-esteem, masculinity and partner relationships using the International Index of Erectile Function, the Self-Esteem Scale and the Conformity to Masculinity Norms Inventory questionnaires. We evaluated the effect of primary surgery type on selected domains of quality of life and correlations between study variables after surgery. Results: High self-esteem, satisfactory erectile function and masculinity results in both groups were comparable to those in the published literature. Men who underwent less disfiguring treatment had a significantly higher sense of masculinity than those who underwent partial penectomy (P=0.05). No significant differences were observed in erectile dysfunction and self-esteem. The level of aggressiveness of a surgical procedure was a predictor of sense of masculinity (P=0.01), but was not associated with self-esteem and sexual dysfunction (P=0.28 and P=0.55 respectively); 83% of patients were able to satisfactorily maintain partner relationships. Conclusions: Disfiguring treatments for penile cancer significantly interfere with the sense of masculinity, but sexual functioning and self-esteem do not differ according to the type of surgical procedure. Most men maintained stable partner relationships after surgery, regardless of surgery type.