An interventional study of Assessment of sexual quality of life in Pelvic Cancer, Anal Cancer and Vaginal Cancer, sponsored by Institut du Cancer de Montpellier - Val d'Aurelle. Not yet recruiting. Open to female participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-13.
Sponsored by Institut du Cancer de Montpellier - Val d'Aurelle · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
In patients with cancer associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), the physical effects of treatment, combined with the psychosexual impact linked to HPV status, can further impair the quality of sexual life.
However, few studies have examined the specific effect of HPV status (or knowledge of status) on the recovery/quality of sexuality following radiotherapy.
It is against this backdrop that we propose a prospective longitudinal study specifically dedicated to investigating the sexual quality of life of women with HPV-positive pelvic cancer.
This type of study will enable better quantification and description of sexual dysfunction occurring after treatment, and assessment of the impact of HPV carriage, with the future aim of guiding new prevention and management strategies.
Surgery for HPV-related pelvic cancers has a significant impact on patients' sexual quality of life.
In cervical cancer, several studies show a lasting impairment of sexual function following hysterectomy, particularly when it is radical. Long-term follow-up of patients confirms that these difficulties persist for several years after treatment and are influenced by factors such as age, hormonal status or the combination with other treatment modalities.
For vulvar and vaginal cancers, surgery frequently leads to disruptions in sexual life linked to anatomical changes and body image. A review of the literature highlights a high prevalence of dyspareunia, orgasmic disorders and reduced desire following vulvectomy, with significant psychosocial repercussions.
Finally, in anal canal cancer, abdominoperineal resection is particularly detrimental due to the anatomical and neurological sequelae it causes. Sexual quality of life is further impaired when a stoma is created, further impacting body image and self-esteem.
Reviews and studies focusing on women following cervical and other pelvic cancers show a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction (problems with desire, arousal, lubrication, pain, and reduced satisfaction).
Knowing that the cancer being treated is linked to a sexually transmitted HPV infection can lead to anxiety, guilt, relationship difficulties and a negative perception of sexuality, as highlighted in several recent studies. This immediate anxiety following the diagnosis is accompanied by impaired sexual function, particularly in cases involving genotypes 16 and 18, which carry the highest risk of cancer.
However, in the long term, cross-sectional studies report more nuanced findings.
In qualitative terms, the experience often revolves around the fear of transmitting the infection, the stigma associated with STIs and difficulties in communication within the couple, but may also foster greater openness in the relationship.
In patients with HPV-associated cancer, the physical effects of treatment, combined with the psychosexual impact linked to HPV status, can exacerbate the deterioration in sexual quality of life.
Several validated tools exist for assessing sexual quality of life following radiotherapy:
82 studies on the registry are indexed under Pelvic Neoplasms; 28 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 42 is below the median of 47 across 50 interventional studies indexed under Pelvic Neoplasms.
Browse Pelvic Neoplasms studies →Institut du Cancer de Montpellier - Val d'Aurelle is the lead sponsor of 142 studies on the registry; 47 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Patients will be seen by the investigator at the radiotherapy clinic on enrolment, at 3 months and at 6 months (the 6-month visit will mark the end of the study)
Other: Assessment of sexual quality of life
The following questionnaires will be completed : EORTC QLQ-SH22 questionnaire, Questionnaire on the impact of HPV infection, HADS questionnaire
To describe the quality of sexual life among patients treated (radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, and/or surgery) as part of the management of HPV-positive pelvic cancer.
Sexual quality of life scores obtained from the European EORTC QLQ-SH22 questionnaire
Time frame: at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after the end of all cancer treatment
To assess perceptions of, and the impact on sexuality of, the sexually transmitted nature (STI) of these cancers
Questionnaire on the impact of HPV infection
Time frame: at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after the end of all cancer treatment
Describe the progression of psychological distress
Psychological distress scores obtained using the HADS scale, including scores for depression and anxiety.
Time frame: at inclusion, at 3 months, at 6 months
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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