Symptoms affecting quality of life in women with gynecologic cancer.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To review quality-of-life issues in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers. DATA SOURCES Research studies, review articles, and medical and nursing text-books. CONCLUSIONS: Women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers carry a heavy physical and emotional burden because of surgical morbidity, chemotherapy toxicities, loss of fertility, changes in body image, sexual concerns, and altered relationships. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Health care providers play a key role in the identification and treatment of the complications of cancer therapy. Minimizing the effect of the symptoms of gynecologic cancer may positively impact the patient's quality of life.