QUALITY-OF-LIFE, SEXUAL FUNCTIONING AND SEX-ROLE IDENTITY AFTER SURGICAL ORCHIECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH PROSTATIC-CANCER

Surgical orchidectomy is a simple procedure with few physical side eff ects, low mortality, and cost effectiveness. Nevertheless, there can b e negative sequelae such as sexual dysfunction, impaired quality of li fe, and poor body image. Although it is a frequent treatment approach for prostate cancer, it is not clear whether these sequelae are proble matic for this patient group. It is possible that relief from painful metastases and the prolongation of life outweigh these negative factor s. The present study investigated quality of life, sex-role identity, and sexual function in 15 patients with stage D prostate cancer, befor e and after surgery. Orchidectomy did not appear to affect quality of life, or sex-role identity. However, loss of sexual function did prese nt as an area of concern. It was noted that 55% of premorbidly sexuall y active patients found this loss disturbing. These patients, premorbi dly, appeared to have higher sex-role stereotypy.