Quality of life, sexual functioning and sex role identity after surgical orchidectomy in patients with prostatic cancer

Surgical orchidectomy is a simple procedure with few physical side effects, low mortality, and cost effectiveness. Nevertheless, there can be negative sequelae such as sexual dysfunction, impaired quality of life, and poor body image. Although it is a frequent treatment approach for prostate cancer, it is not clear whether these sequelae are problematic for this patient group. It is possible that relief from painful metastases and the prolongation of life outweigh these negative factors. The present study investigated quality of life, sex-role identity, and sexual function in 15 patients with stage D prostate cancer, before and after surgery. Orchidectomy did not appear to affect quality of life, or sex-role identity. However, loss of sexual function did present as an area of concern. It was noted that 55% of premorbidly sexually active patients found this loss disturbing. These patients, premorbidly, appeared to have higher sex-role stereotypy.