Abstract
Objectives: To investigate associations between testosterone and patient reported sexual problems and need for sexual care in head and neck cancer patients at time of diagnosis and 6 months after treatment. Patients and methods: Data and samples were used of 40 patients (20 men, 20 women) before and 6 months after treatment. Outcome measures were total testosterone level (TT) and free testosterone index (FTI), testosterone insufficiency (TI), the EORTC QLQ-HN35 Sexuality subscale, the subscales of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Sexuality subscale of the Short-Form Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34). Results: In men, higher FTI before treatment was significantly associated with better IIEF Orgasm (p = 0.020) and at 6 months follow-up with IIEF Desire (p = 0.019). Before treatment, insufficient testosterone was present in 5 males (25%) and in 3 at follow-up (15%) (2 patients who had TI before treatment plus one). In women, higher TT at follow-up was significantly associated with better EORTC Sexuality (p = 0.031) and FSFI Satisfaction (p = 0.020); FTI at follow-up was associated with FSFI Satisfaction (p = 0.012). Before treatment, TI was present in 2 women (10%) and in 3 (15%) at follow-up (the same 2 patients plus one). Conclusion: This pilot study showed that testosterone seems to be associated with patient reported sexual outcomes among male and female head and neck cancer patients. It is estimated that 10–25% of HNC patients may have testosterone insufficiency before treatment and/or at 6 months after treatment.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 105505 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-5 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Oral Oncology |
Volume | 121 |
Early online date | 27 Aug 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This project was granted by the Dutch Cancer Society, grant number VU 2013-5930.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s)
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Funding
This project was granted by the Dutch Cancer Society, grant number VU 2013-5930.
Keywords
- Head and neck cancer
- Sex hormones
- Sexual problems
- Sexuality
- Supportive care
- Testosterone