Surgery is the primary treatment for invasive penile cancer (PC). Postoperative changes in genital anatomy and function may lead to altered body and self-image, compromised sexual function and subsequent psychological problems. The aim of this study is to describe men's experiences of the impact of PC surgical treatment on their lives.
The institutional databases of two Finnish university hospitals were searched for patients who underwent surgery for invasive PC between 2009 and 2019. Of 107 men, 29 agreed to an interview or a response letter. The data were analysed by thematic analysis.
The men experienced that their self-image had changed after PC diagnosis and treatment to a 'cancer-modified me'. They also experienced that physical symptoms after surgery defined their everyday, as well as sexual, lives and that the whole content of life changed.
Support and counselling for physical, mental, sexual and social factors should be part of the treatment of men with PC.
European journal of cancer care. 2021 Dec 21 [Epub ahead of print]
Minna Törnävä, Eeva Harju, Hanna Vasarainen, Tomi Pakarainen, Ilkka Perttilä, Antti Kaipia
Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland., Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland., Department of Urology, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.