Effect of Endocrine Treatment on Sexuality in Premenopausal Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Randomized Study

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 19; no. 11; pp. 2788 - 2796
• Main Authors: Berglund, G, Nystedt, M, Bolund, C, Sjödén, P O, Rutquist, L E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Baltimore, MD American Society of Clinical Oncology 01.06.2001; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Subjects: Adult; Antineoplastic agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Chemotherapy; Cisplatin - administration & dosage; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fluorouracil - administration & dosage; Goserelin - administration & dosage; Goserelin - adverse effects; Humans; Medical sciences; Methotrexate - administration & dosage; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Premenopause; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - chemically induced; Tamoxifen - administration & dosage; Tamoxifen - pharmacology; Antineoplastic agent; Human; Drug combination; Premenopause; Peptide hormone; Antiestrogen; Adjuvant treatment; Gonadotropin RH; Antihormone; Malignant tumor; Tamoxifene; Hypothalamic hormone; Prospective; Mammary gland diseases; Chemotherapy; Randomization; Analog; Sexuality; Mammary gland; Hormone releasing factor; Non steroid compound; Goserelin
• ISSN: 0732-183X; 1527-7755
• DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2001.19.11.2788

To study the sexual effects of the 2-year adjuvant goserelin (Zoladex [Zeneca AB, Södertälje, Sweden]) alone, tamoxifen alone, and Zoladex and tamoxifen in combination (ZT) versus no adjuvant endocrine therapy among premenopausal breast cancer patients with or without chemotherapy in a controlled clinical trial (a European multicenter trial: Zoladex in Premenopausal Breast Cancer Patients). This prospective study examined several aspects of sexuality through the use of self-administered questionnaires, which were completed by patients at seven points of assessment for 3 years after randomization. Patients treated with chemotherapy had a higher level of sexual dysfunction than did patients who received no systemic treatment. The addition of endocrine treatment did not alter this result. In contrast, among patients who did not receive chemotherapy, Zoladex and ZT produced a significantly higher level of dysfunction from 1 to 2 years after inclusion, as compared with those who received no endocrine treatment. Tamoxifen alone did not produce side effects. After termination of endocrine treatment, sexual dysfunction began to diminish. Those with chemotherapy had high and frequently increasing levels of dysfunction even after 2 to 3 years of independent of endocrine treatment. Zoladex had a negative effect on sexual fear, which was reduced by the addition of tamoxifen. Zoladex increased sexual dysfunction during treatment among patients without chemotherapy, but the disturbances of sexual functioning were reversible. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with continued sexual problems, even at 3 years after randomization.