Surviving gynecologic cancer and coping with sexual morbidity: an international problem.

A review of the international literature reveals that significant sexual morbidity occurs for gynecologic cancer survivors, and that there has been little reduction in either the incidence or the severity of problems over the last 50 years available to research. In fact, prospective data from the last 10 years highlight the discrepancy in sexual activity and sexual responsiveness and the higher frequency of sexual dysfunctions for patients who have been treated for gyneclogic cancer in comparison to age-matched healthy counterparts. We conclude with an international summary and discuss specific research directions for disease sites. We urge international efforts to address quality of life concerns of gynecologic cancer survivors.