VAGINAL STENOSIS AND SEXUAL FUNCTION FOLLOWING INTRACAVITARY RADIATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF CERVICAL AND ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

Purpose: This study was designed to document the incidence and degree of vaginal stenosis, sexual activity, and satisfaction in women treated with intracavitary radiation therapy for cervical or endometrial carcinoma. Methods and Materials: The incidence of vaginal stenosis in 90 patients treated for either cervical carcinoma (n = 42) or endometrial carcinoma (n = 48) with standard doses of intracavitary radiation from 1989 to 1992 with at least 6 months follow-up was recorded. Vaginal length was measured using a modified vaginal dilator calibrated in centimeters. Semistructured patient interviews documented pretreatment and posttreatment sexual activity and sexual satisfaction.