Quality of life in patients who have undergone surgical or radiotherapeutic treatment for squamous cancer of the penis.

Objective : The purpose of our work is to examine how partially or totally radical surgery and radiotherapy can weigh on quality of life in patients w ith squamous carcinoma of the penis, considering whether quality of life ca n be a good criterion in treatment options. Material and Methods : We have interviewed 17 patients alive and disease-fr ee (average follow-up 69.43 months) after surgical treatment or radiotherap y for cancer of the penis (emasculation, 2; total amputation of the penis, 2; partial penectomy, 11; radiotherapy, 2). Tests used : General Health Questionnaire (G.H.Q. - 12 by D. Goldberg); Hos pital Anxiety and Depression Scale (H.A.D.S.); Social Problem Questionnaire (S.P.Q.); Overall Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (O.S.F.Q.); Family Ques tionnaire (F.A.Q.); Performance Status ECOG. Results : Thirty-five per cent of the patients presented limitations in the ir state of health and social problems. Anxiety was evident in 29.5% of the patients and depression in 6%. The global sexual function was compromised in 76.5%. Conclusion : The profile of quality of life resulted compromised in the pat ients who had undergone radical surgical treatment. The sexual function was the most altered component. The impact of the pathology and its treatment on the other domains of quality of life proved less significant.