Breast cancer (BC) and its treatment could disturb the reproductive system. We identified reproductive system disorders following chemotherapy in patients with BC and the determinant factors.
One hundred and twelve married female patients with BC who underwent first chemotherapy between 2018 and 2020 in Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta were recruited. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected at baseline. After each chemotherapy session, the patients were interviewed about symptoms of reproductive system disorder (irregular menstruation, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, dyspareunia, delayed orgasm and anorgasmia) and other symptoms (fatigue, anorexia, nausea and anxiety). We used a questionnaire based on the CTCAE version 4. Data of symptoms were collected until patients received at least 3 treatment cycles. Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to analyze any association among variables.
The most common symptoms were vaginal dryness (41.1%) followed by decreased libido (39.3%). In the subgroup analysis, the most common symptom among 44 pre-menopause women was irregular menstruation (84.1%). Vaginal dryness occurred more in cases with anthracycline-based regimen (p=0.036) and with anxiety (p=0.019), compared to their counterparts. Decreased libido presented more in cases with younger age (p=0.037) and positive ER status (p=0.009). Irregular menstruation, dyspareunia, delayed orgasm, and anorgasmia did not correlate with any of the determinant factors.
Reproductive system disorders occurred very frequently in the local BC patients after receiving chemotherapy. Influencing factors included anthracycline-based regimen, anxiety, age, and estrogen receptor status.
Erik Christopher Hookom, BA, M.Ed, TEFL Office of Research and Publication, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada.
The authors.
The Indonesian Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education; Public Funding, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta.
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.