VAGINAL STENOSIS AND SEXUAL FUNCTION FOLLOWING INTRACAVITARY RADIATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF CERVICAL AND ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

Purpose: This study was designed to document the incidence and degree of vaginal stenosis, sexual activity, and satisfaction in women treate d with intracavitary radiation therapy for cervical or endometrial car cinoma. Methods and Materials: The incidence of vaginal stenosis in 90 patients treated for either cervical carcinoma (n = 42) or endometria l carcinoma (n = 48) with standard doses of intracavitary radiation fr om 1989 to 1992 with at least 6 months follow-up was recorded. Vaginal length was measured using a modified vaginal dilator calibrated in ce ntimeters. Semistructured patient interviews documented pretreatment a nd posttreatment sexual activity and sexual satisfaction.