A Comparison between Breast-Conserving Surgery and Modified Radical Mastectomy Concerning the Female Sexual Function in Breast Cancer Patients under 50 Years of Age

Abstract

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to compare the female sexual function in breast cancer patients, who have been administered breast-conserving surgery to the patients having undergone modified radical mastectomy.METHODSForty-four breast-conserving surgery and 27 modified radical mastectomy patients were included inthis study. All patients completed chemotherapy and radiation therapy after surgery. Modified radicalmastectomy patients, who received breast reconstruction surgery afterwards, patients whom experienced local recurrence or distant organ metastases or patients over 50 years of age were excluded fromthis study. Each patient’s sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index, sixmonths after the completion of their treatment.RESULTSBetween breast-conserving surgery and modified radical mastectomy groups, no significant differenceof age, height, weight, and body mass index was observed. Although mean sexual desire (4,13 vs 3,97),arousal (3,72 vs 3,16), lubrication (3,76 vs 3,44), orgasm (3,90 vs 3,38), satisfaction (3,07 vs 2,50), pain(4,07 vs 3,82) and total scores (22,65 vs 20,27) were all higher in patients with breast-conserving surgery,only arousal, orgasm and total scores were significantly higher (p: 0,025, p:0,017 and p: 0,017, respectively).CONCLUSIONIn the treatment of breast cancer, the conservation of patients’ sexual function is an important issue. Ourstudy demonstrates higher female sexual function in breast-conserving surgery patients, highlightingthe statistical difference of the arousal, orgasm and total scores of the Female Sexual Function Index,comparing with modified radical mastectomy patients.