- to weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of something (e.g., organ)
External beam radiation - radiating an area of the body from an external source
Hysterectomy - removal of the uterus
Immunotherapy - a nonspecific term indicating treatment of a disease using one or more substances intended to stimulate the patient’s immune system
Incontinence - the inability to control the discharge of urine or feces
Intensity modulated radiation therapy - computer-calculated, this delivers the appropriate radiation dosage to the target and surrounding areas
Interstitial - relating to spaces within a tissue or organ
Intracavitary - within an organ or body cavity
Intraoperative - occurring during a surgical operation
Intraperitoneal - the way medication is administered directly into the peritoneal cavity
Intravesical - inside the bladder
Intravesical immunotherapy - Treating disease by administering antibodies inside the bladder
Laparoscopy - use of an endoscope to examine the abdominal cavity. The endoscope is usually a very narrow cylinder containing a lens attached to a fiber optic cable.
Lumpectomy - removal of a cancerous or noncancerous lesion from the breast without removing much surrounding tissue
Mastectomy - removal of the breast
Ostomy - an artificial opening such as made be made into the colon, urethra or trachea
Palliative care - reduces the severity of the symptoms without curing the underlying disease
Perineal - relating to the area between the thighs extending from the coccyx (tailbone) to the pubic bone
Peritoneal Cavity - the cavity inside the lining of the abdominal wall
Polyp - a mass of tissue projecting from the surface and visible macroscopically (without use of magnifying devices). Polyps may be benign or malignant tumors, or the result of inflammation or degeneration of the affected tissue.
Radical cystectomy - removal of the bladder, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, vaginal front wall
Radical hysterectomy - removal of all the female reproductive organs (including the ovaries)
Radical vulvectomy - extensive surgical removal of the vagina and lymph nodes
Resection - removal of all or a significant part of an organ or bodily structure
Selective estrogen response - Cells in many organs in a woman's body are generally sensitive to estrogen. However, some compounds have been developed that are precisely targeted to cells in specific organs, because they are customized to these cells' estrogen receptors.
Sentinel node - removing the first node in the lymphatic chain that would receive drainage from a malignant tumor
Sessile - colon lesions having a broad base of attachment (i.e. not on a stalk)
Transurethral - through the urethra
Urethra - the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
Vesical - relating to the bladder.
(The majority of the definitions were obtained from Stedman Medical Dictionary.)
Table 2: Sexual-related Biological and Psychological Effects of Different Cancers and Their Treatments
| Disease | Effects on Women |
| Anal Cancer | Major effect on sexuality. Possible decreased clitoral stimulation and pain on intercourse. Surgery reduces fat pad cushioning area around vagina, anus, pelvis - may have increased pain with vaginal intercourse. If surgery to remove anus, many organs affected. Radiation also reduces vaginal lubrication. |
| Bladder Cancer | Incontinence. Altered body image due to ostomy for urine collection. Chemotherapy also causes side effects, e.g., fatigue. |
| Breast Cancer | Body image. Hair loss. Early onset of menopause. Symptoms associated with hormonal therapy (weight gain, night sweats, vaginal dryness, etc). Reduced breast arousal after mastectomy (with or without reconstruction) |
| Colon Cancer | Pain. Cancer in upper colon may have some effect on sexuality. Psychological impact of colostomy. If lower rectum is operated on, there is less padding between vagina and sacrum, causing pain during intercourse. Diarrhea due to chemotherapy and surgery if significant part of colon is removed. |
| Gynecological Cancers incl. Cervical, Uterine, and Vaginal and Ovarian Cancer | Body image changes due to surgery. Hair loss from chemo. Lack of lubrication. Pain in pelvis and on intercourse. Loss of desire. Arousal difficulties. Orgasmic difficulties. Loss of clitoral stimulation. |
| Other Pelvic Malignancies | Lubrication problems. Thinning of vaginal tissue. Vaginal collapse. |
| All cancers | Chemotherapy may lead to loss or reduction of libido. |
©2011 Ralph Alterowitz & Barbara Alterowitz
Table 3: Female Sexual Problems Caused by Cancer Treatment
American Cancer Society (ACS) booklet, “Sexuality and Cancer.” 2007.
| Treatment | Low Sexual Desire | Less Vaginal Moisture | Reduced Vaginal Size | Painful Intercourse | Trouble Reaching Orgasm | Infertility |
| Chemotherapy | S | O | S | O | R | O |
| Pelvic radiation therapy | R | O | O | O | R | O |
| Radical hysterectomy | R | O* | O | R | R | A |
| Radical cystectomy |
