Sexuality in penectomized patients due to penile carcinoma

Abstract

From 1984 to 1994, 21 patients with penile carcinoma had undergone penectomy at the Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP, BrazU- At follow-up, 8 died because of the tumor and 10 patients (partial penectomy, 7; total penectomy, 3) were assessed by means of a semi-structured interview and the Overall Sexual Functioning Questionnaire. The median age was 53.5 years (range 37-77) and the follow-up time was 16.5 months (median, range 4-72). A global score was constructed consisting of sexual interest, sexual ability, sexual satisfaction, sexual identity, partner relationship and frequency of coitus. Overall sexual functioning for those who had undergone partial penectomy was normal or slightly reduced (4 patients), moderately reduced (1 patienl), severely reduced (I patient) and absent (1 patient). Two patients who had undergone total penectomy had no sexual functioning. Of the six single domains, sexual identity and partner relationship did not change. Sexual interest and satisfaction were slightly reduced after surgery. The frequency of coitus decreased in 8 patients. The sexual ability was severely impaired in all patients submitted to total penectomy and in 1 case of partial penectomy. The partner support played a very important role on patients’ recovery and adjustment.