Introduction: The aim of this study is to analyze the available scientific evidence regarding the quality of life (QoL) and sexual function (SF) in patients affected by cervical cancer (CC) after surgical and adjuvant treatments. Materials and Methods: Preliminary research was conducted via electronic database (MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane Library) with the use of a combination of the following keywords: SF, QoL, and CC. The principal findings considered in the present review were the study design, the number of patients included in each study, the information about the malignancy (histology and stage of disease), the questionnaires administered, and the principal findings concerning SF and QoL. Results: All studies were published between 2003–2022. The studies selected consisted of one randomized control study, seven observational studies (three prospective series), and nine case control studies. The scores used were focused on SF, QOL, fatigue, and psychological aspects. All studies reported a decreased SF and QOL. The most developed questionnaires were the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). Discussion: All studies reported a decreased SF and QOL. In addition to the perception of body image, several factors coexist in influencing the outcomes such as the physical, hormonal, psychological. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction after CC treatment has a multifactorial aetiology which negatively affects the quality of life. For these reasons, it is important to follow and support patients with a multidisciplinary team (doctors, nurses, psychologists, dieticians) before and after therapy. This type of tailored therapeutic approach should become a standard. Women should be informed about possible vaginal changes and menopausal symptoms after surgery and on the positive effects of psychological therapy.

Malignancies heterogeneity represents a critical issue in cancer care, as it often causes therapy resistance and tumor relapse. Organoids are three-dimensional (3D) miniaturized representations of selected tissues within a dish. Lately, organoid technology has been applied to oncology with growing success and Patients Derived Tumor Organoids (PDTOs) constitute a novel available tool which fastens cancer research. PDTOs are in vitro models of cancer, and importantly, they can be used as a platform to validate the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. For that reason, they are currently utilized in clinics as emerging in vitro screening technology to tailor the therapy around the patient, with the final goal of beating cancer resistance and recurrence. In this sense, PDTOs biobanking is widely used and PDTO-libraries are helping the discovery of novel anticancer molecules. Moreover, they represent a good model to screen and validate compounds employed for other pathologies as off-label drugs potentially repurposed for the treatment of tumors. This will open up novel avenues of care thus ameliorating the life expectancy of cancer patients. This review discusses the present advancements in organoids research applied to oncology, with special attention to PDTOs and their translational potential, especially for anti-cancer drug testing, including off-label molecules.

Among the components of a healthy life, sexuality is essential, contributing to both the psychophysical and social well-being of women and, consequently, to their quality of life. A poorly investigated standpoint is the acceptability of contraceptive methods, both in terms of their tolerability and metabolic neutrality and in terms of their impact on sexual life. In this context, we will provide an overview of the different methods of contraception and their effects on female sexuality, from biological changes to organic, social, and psychological factors, which can all shape sexuality. A MEDLINE/PubMed review of the literature between 2010 and 2021 was conducted using the following key words and phrases: hormonal contraception, contraceptives, female sexual function, libido, sexual arousal and desire, and sexual pain. Recent studies have supported the effects of contraceptives on women’s sexuality, describing a variety of positive and negative events in several domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, enjoyment). However, satisfaction with sexual activity depends on factors that extend beyond sexual functioning alone. A more holistic approach is needed to better understand the multitude of factors linked to women’s sexuality and contraception. Contraceptive counseling must consider these important elements since they are closely related to good compliance and maximize non-contraceptive health benefits.

The oral transmission of HPV and, consequently, the risk of oral cancer has increased in the last years. Oral sex has often been implicated among the risk factors for oral HPV infections, however, there is still no consensus on these topics, nor on the relationship between genital and oral HPV infections. The present study aimed to evaluate the coexistence of papilloma virus, at the levels of the oral and genital mucosa, in women with a histologically confirmed HPV lesions (and a positive HPV test) at the genital level and a negative HPV control group. We also evaluated how some risk factors, such as smoking, the number of partners, age, and sexual habits can influence the possible presence of the virus itself in the oropharynx of the same women. In total, 117 unvaccinated women aged between 18 and 52 were enrolled. We found that the prevalence of oral HPV infection was high among the women with concomitant genital HPV infection (22%) compared to the HPV-negative women (0%), and the estimated odds ratio was 17.36 (95% CI: 1.02, 297.04). In none of the women with oral HPV did we find any relevant clinical lesions. The potential risk factors for HPV infections in the oropharynx and genitals were analyzed based on questionnaire responses. A multivariate analysis showed that genital HPV infections were significantly associated with a number of sexual partners > 10 (OR 138.60, 95% CI: 6.04–3181.30, p < 0.001), but the data also referred to having between 3–5 or 6–10 partners as being significant, as were a high level of education (OR 6.24, 95% CI: 1.67–4.23.26 p = 0.003), a frequency of sexual intercourse >10 (OR 91.67 95% CI: 3.20–2623.52, p = 0.004), oral sex (OR 6.16, 95% CI: 1.22–31.19, p = 0.014), and >20 cigarettes/day (OR 6.09 95% CI: 1.21–30.61, p = 0.014). Furthermore, being “separate” and having multiple sexually transmitted diseases were also significantly associated with genital HPV infection. In contrast, oral HPV infections were significantly associated with women aged 36 to 50 years (OR 27.38, 95% CI: 4.37–171.37; p = 0.000202) and oral sex (OR 95.5, 95% CI: 5.13–1782.75, p = 0.001126).Additionally, being separate, being cohabitant, lifetime sexual partners of >10, 3–5 lifetime sexual partners, 10 sexual intercourse per month, occasional and regular anal sex, >20 cigarettes per day, a history of sexually transmitted disease (herpes and multiple), and having a history of genital warts were significant. Screening and early diagnosis are considered to be practically unfeasible for this category of cancer, given the lack of visible lesions; the 9-valent HPV vaccine remains the only means that could help to successfully counter the growing incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Endometrial cancer (EC) affects 3–14% of women under 40 who wish to preserve their fertility. The standard treatment for EC is a hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy. However, for those desiring fertility preservation, oral progestogens such as medroxy-progesterone acetate (MPA) or megestrol acetate (MA) are the most common therapies in Fertility-Sparing Treatment (FST). Other treatments include gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), and metformin plus progestin. This comprehensive review evaluates the best FST options for women with reproductive potential. PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched in June 2023 using specific keywords. Studies included in the review focused on patients with EC undergoing FST, with outcomes such as complete response rate (CRR), recurrence rate (RR), pregnancy rate (PR), and live birth rate. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 23,976 patients. In only-oral progestin trials, CRR ranged from 18% to 100%; RR ranged from 0% to 81.8%; Death Rate ranged from 0% to 3.6%. In studies combining oral progestin with LNG-IUS, CRR ranged from 55% to 87.5%; RR ranged from 0% to 41.7%; Death Rate was 0%. Most patients with Stage IA EC received MPA or MA. Fertility-related outcomes were reported in 15 studies. PR ranged from 4 to 44 patients in trials involving only oral progestins. When combining oral progestin with LNG-IUS, PR ranged from 1 to 46 patients. Progestin therapy, including oral MPA and MA, is considered safe and effective, with limited evidence supporting the use of LNG-IUS.

To evaluate the efficacy of daily vaginal gel containing hyaluronic acid (HA) and Biosaccharide Gum-1 (BG-1) on vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and on sexual function and quality of life (QoL). One hundred-four postmenopausal women with VVA were enrolled in the nonrandomized comparison cohort study. Of them, 50 women on HA/BG-1 participated in the study group and 54 women on lubricants/moisturizers on-demand as a control group. The primary endpoint was the efficacy of the vaginal gel on VVA evaluated by the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) score. Secondary endpoints included sexual behavior by the self-administered female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire, and quality of life (QoL), by the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). All symptoms of AVV improved after 12 weeks of treatment in women on HA/BG-1. The VMI, although improved at the 12-week follow-up compared to baseline, it connoted a low estrogenic stimulation value. Sexual function improved significantly in women on HA/BG-1. Moreover, women reported a significant improvement in the somatic aspects of QoL. No benefits were obtained by the women in the control group. Treatment with HA/BG-1 could have used in postmenopausal women who complain of vaginal dryness. The amelioration of VVA-related signs could improve sexual function and QoL.