Sexuality of men treated with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a review of the literature

Abstract

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a therapeutic modality used in anti-tumour treatment of haematological malignancies as well as solid tumours. Apart from that it is also used in therapy of non-malignant and hereditary diseases. As well as all the other treatments, HSCT also affects the disease process and with that also the patient's quality of life (QoL). In the last decade of the 20^th century several studies about QoL in patients after HSCT were undertaken and the influence in particular dimensions of QoL was observed. One of the closely observed aspects was sexuality in patients after HSCT. Sexuality and its expression is a very important aspect of human behaviour. It is also a very sensitive aspect, so without doubt it is affected by diagnosis of neoplasm and cancer treatment. Physical and psychosocial factors of HSCT affect patients' sexuality and sexual functioning, and with that also their QoL. They remain in focus because of the complex care concerning patients after HSCT.