Quality of life and sexual function in patients with borderline tumors of the ovary. A substudy of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynaekologische Onkologie (AGO) study group ROBOT study

PURPOSE: Borderline tumors of the ovary (BOT) represent an entity of ovarian neoplasms with low malignant potential and excellent prognosis. Mainstay of therapy is surgery including adequate staging and complete tumor resection, possibly inducing long-term side effects, especially in premenopausal women. The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QoL) and sexual function in patients treated for BOT, also with respect to treatment modalities.

METHODS: This prospective study was part of an ambidirectional multicentric cohort study in patients with BOT in Germany. Patients from seven centers completed three questionnaires after completion of therapy. QoL and sexual function data were correlated with treatment characteristics: surgical approach, lymphadenectomy, and fertility sparing surgery.

RESULTS: One hundred ten patients returned the questionnaires. Median follow-up was 4.0 years. The majority lived in a relationship (n = 85, 77%, missing n = 4), and 49% (n = 54, missing n = 6) were sexually active. The main reason for sexual inactivity was "no partner" (38%). The women had a mean global health status of 69.8 (SD 22.7; min 0, max 100), with 100 implying perfect health. Mean QoL score was 73.7 (SD 23.3, range 0 to 100). Both scores showed no difference regarding fertility preserving surgery, surgical approach, and lymphadenectomy. Sexually active women had a significantly higher QoL (78.7 vs. 67.4, p = 0.0156) and global health status (75.9 vs. 60.9, p = 0.0013) than inactive patients.

CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study, patients who had been diagnosed with BOT had a very good quality of life and global health status. Sexually inactive women stated lack of a partner as the main reason and had an inferior HRQoL compared to sexually active women.