Psychosocial aspects in long-term survivors of testicular cancer

Abstract

Purpose: We assessed the psychosocial well-being in cured testicular cancer patients who had undergone chemotherapy with or without retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, radiotherapy or surveillance therapy.

Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 83 cured testicular cancer patients of whom 34 had undergone cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy with or without retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (chemotherapy group), 42 had received infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy (radiotherapy group) and 7 had received surveillance therapy (surveillance group). The questionnaire reported demographic data, psychosocial well-being, working ability, satisfaction with life, relationships, and general health and fitness.

Results: For questions dealing with psychological distress there were no differences among the groups. However, a significant number of patients in all groups reported greater feelings of anxiety about health and future since treatment. Working ability was significantly better in the chemotherapy and radiotherapy groups than in the surveillance group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Interestingly, the patients who received the most extensive treatment (chemotherapy plus retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) reported the best working ability. Using the satisfaction with life scale, patients in the chemotherapy and radiotherapy groups showed significantly higher scores than those in the surveillance group (p < 0.05). The majority of the patients reported no significant change in long-term relationships with family, friends and spouse.

Conclusions: The development of psychosocial problems during long-term adjustment seems to be low regardless of treatment received. Although a significant number of patients reported a higher incidence of anxiety and depression since the illness, the overall attitude was positive toward life. With regard to treatment type, patients in the chemotherapy and radiotherapy groups had better working ability and greater satisfaction with life than the surveillance group.