Pelvic Floor Disorders in Survivors of Gynecologic Malignancies

Overview

Pelvic Floor dysfunction affects the quality of life of women. However, the prevalence and risk factors for pelvic floor disorders (PFD) in survivors of gynecologic malignancies are not known. The investigators plan to perform an observational study including survivors of gynecologic malignancies. Questionnaires for diagnosis of pelvic floor disorders will be mailed to survivors to generate prevalence rates and risk factors for PFD in women with a history of a gynecologic cancer diagnosis.

Pelvic floor disorders negatively impact the quality of life of those afflicted by pelvic organ prolapse, lower urinary tract symptoms, defecatory or sexual dysfunction, or pain. Women who present for routine gynecologic care often have undiagnosed pelvic floor disorders, and physicians may not specifically question women to elicit pelvic floor symptoms. In the United States 24% of women report at least one pelvic floor disorder, which increases with age, parity , obesity. Gynecologic cancer survivors are a unique population who undergo a variety treatment regimens including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Radical hysterectomy, a common surgical treatment for gynecologic cancers, is a well-established cause for lower urinary tract dysfunction. In contrast, data are lacking regarding risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse or fecal incontinence. Survivors of gynecologic malignancies may be at increased risk for symptomatic pelvic floor disorders, but may not be diagnosed due to lack of inquiry of these symptoms by practitioners. In addition, a recent qualitative study found that survivors of gynecologic malignancies believed that pelvic floor symptoms were an inevitable, untreatable corollary to treatment for their cancer and thus did not seek treatment. Furthermore, the study participants reported that they felt healthy despite these symptoms because of their oncologists assessment of their remission status. The lack of diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor disorders has clinical and quality of life implications for the growing numbers of gynecologic malignancy survivors. The objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of an risk factors for pelvic floor disorders in women after treatment for gynecologic cancer. Our rationale for this project is that the investigators believe that pelvic floor disorders affect the quality of life of gynecologic cancer survivors and should be quantified. Successful completion of this study will provide evidence for practitioners to screen and treat pelvic floor disorders in gynecologic malignancy survivors.