Male sexuality after cancer treatment--needs for information and support: testicular cancer compared to malignant lymphoma

Abstract

Testicular cancer (TC) as well as malignant lymphoma (ML), both have nowadays an excellent prognosis. However, both types of cancer may be diagnosed at young adulthood and patients may experience sexual concerns. In this article the need for information and support concerning sexuality will be explored, and the traumatic impact of cancer diagnosis with respect to this will be considered. A total of 264 patients with testicular cancer, median age 36 (S.D. 9.7) years, and 50 patients with malignant lymphoma, median age 42 (S.D. 11.7) years returned a questionnaire concerning sexual functioning; four items assessed the need for information or support concerning sexuality, at diagnosis and at follow-up. It appeared that more than half of the patients with testicular cancer reported a lack of information and support concerning sexuality during treatment; 67% of them still had a need for information at follow-up. These rates were significantly lower for patients with malignant lymphoma. Especially patients with testicular cancer who suffered sexual dysfunction reported extremely high needs for information and support. According to these findings it can be concluded that more attention should be paid to the doctor-patient communication with respect to sexual concerns in general, and especially where it concerns patients with testicular cancer.