Radiotherapy improves stress urinary incontinence but impairs pelvic floor function in endometrial cancer patients: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: Investigating the impact of radiotherapy on urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction in endometrial cancer patients.

Method: A comparative study was conducted between endometrial cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy and those who did not receive adjuvant therapy. Patients were assessed during their first follow-up visit at third month post-radiotherapy or post-surgery. Demographic data and physical examinations were conducted, along with the administration of validated questionnaires. Turkish validated Incontinence Severity Index (ISI), Incontinence Impact Questionairre-7 (IIQ-7) and 20 ıtem Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Index (PFDI-20) were applied to the all patients.

Results: The study comprised 37 patients in the non-radiotherapy group and 41 patients in the radiotherapy group. Comparable demographics were observed between the two groups. Vaginal length was notably longer in the non-radiotherapy group, and the Q-tip test angle was significantly greater in this group. A higher incidence of stress urinary incontinence and higher scores on the Incontinence Severity Index were noted in the non-radiotherapy group. Conversely, the radiotherapy group exhibited significantly higher scores on the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Index components and total score. Urogenital Distress Inventory scores were similar between the groups.

Conclusion: Radiotherapy showed mixed effects on pelvic floor function in endometrial cancer patients. While it potentially improved stress urinary incontinence, it was associated with unfavorable outcomes in overall pelvic floor dysfunction.