Impact of testicular cancer on survivors’ Quality of Life: systematic review

WCRJ 2016; 3 (3) : e738

  Topic: Cancer survivors, Genitourinary cancer     Category:

Abstract

This review collects the results of studies on testicular cancer survivors’ (TCSs) Quality of Life (QoL). The analyses’ results show that there is no significative difference between healthy controls and TCSs health-related QoL. There is a drop of QoL in the phases of diagnosis and treatment, but later it returns on controls level. However, TCSs have to face some chronic illnesses that affect QoL, like Raynaud-like phenomena, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, anxiety, fatigue, sexual, body image and fertility problems. These problems seem not affect QoL measures, but have relevant effects on the life of TCSs.

Evidence shows that psychosocial, educational, and mind-body interventions are effective for cancer-related fatigue. More specifically, psychosocial interventions are important in support of TCSs, as they have seen their life threatened by cancer.

There is a correlation between the relationship status of the TCSs and the outcomes of the survivorship. Additional research is required on adolescent and young adult patients, only a few studies focus on them, and on preventive and ameliorative therapies for chronic side effects of testicle cancer treatments.

To cite this article

Impact of testicular cancer on survivors’ Quality of Life: systematic review

WCRJ 2016; 3 (3) : e738

Publication History

Submission date: 27 Sep 2016

Revised on: 28 Sep 2016

Accepted on: 30 Sep 2016

Published online: 03 Oct 2016