Long-Term Trajectory of Quality of Life in Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients

Author(s):  
A. Kiang ◽  
K.N. Cheung ◽  
V.K. Weinberg ◽  
E. Shugard ◽  
J.M. Quivey ◽  
...  
Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5063
Author(s):  
Kuan-Cho Liao ◽  
Hui-Ching Chuang ◽  
Chih-Yen Chien ◽  
Yu-Tsai Lin ◽  
Ming-Hsien Tsai ◽  
...  

Background: Quality of life (QoL) attained before, during, or after treatments is recognized as a vital factor associated with therapeutic benefits in cancer patients. This nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patient longitudinal study assessed the relationship among QoL, cancer stage, and long-term mortality in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Patients and Methods: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core QoL questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the head and neck cancer-specific QoL questionnaire module (QLQ-HN35) were employed to evaluate four-dimensional QoL outcomes at five time points: pre- (n = 682), during (around 40 Gy) (n = 675), 3 months (n = 640), 1 year (n = 578) and 2 years post-IMRT (n = 505), respectively, for 682 newly diagnosed NPC patients treated between 2003 and 2017 at a single institute. The median followed-up time was 7.5 years, ranging from 0.3 to 16.1 years. Generalized estimating equations, multivariable proportional hazards models, and Baron and Kenny’s method were used to assess the investigated effects. Results: Advanced AJCC stage (III–IV) patients revealed a 2.26-fold (95% CI—1.56 to 3.27) higher covariate-adjusted mortality risk than early-stage (I–II) patients. Compared with during IMRT, advanced-stage patients had a significantly low global health QoL and a significantly high QoL-HN35 symptom by a large magnitude at pre-, 3 months, and 2 years post-IMRT. QoL scales at pre-IMRT, 1 year, and 2 years post-IMRT were significantly associated with mortality. The effect changes of mortality risk explained by global health QoL, QoL-C30, and QoL-HN35 symptom were 5.8–9.8% at pre-IMRT but at 2 years post-IMRT were 39.4–49.4% by global health QoL and QoL-HN35 symptoms. Conclusions: We concluded advanced cancer stage correlates with a long-term high mortality in NPC patients treated with IMRT and the association is partially intermediated by QoL at pre-IMRT and 2 years post-IMRT. Therefore, QoL-HN35 symptom and global health QoL-dependent medical support and care should be focused and tailored at 2 years post-IMRT.


2020 ◽  
Vol 277 (8) ◽  
pp. 2325-2333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysegul Ucuncu Kefeli ◽  
Canan Sanal-Toprak ◽  
Ruslan Asedov ◽  
Zeynep Ozen ◽  
Gulseren Akyuz ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Teresa Zetzl ◽  
Andre Pittig ◽  
Agnes Renner ◽  
Birgitt van Oorschot ◽  
Elisabeth Jentschke

Abstract Objective To examine the efficacy of reminder e-mails to continue yoga therapy on practice frequency and fatigue in cancer patients and long-term effects of yoga on fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Methodology One hundred two cancer patients who completed an 8-week yoga therapy were randomly allocated to two groups: reminder (N = 51) vs. no-reminder group (N = 51). After completing yoga therapy, the reminder group received weekly e-mails for 24 weeks, which reminded them of practicing yoga, whereas the no-reminder group did not. Primary outcomes were fatigue and practice frequency, and long-term outcomes were fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Data were assessed using questionnaires after yoga therapy (T1) and 6 months after completing yoga therapy (T2). Result A significantly stronger reduction of general (p = 0.038, d = 0.42) and emotional fatigue (p = 0.004, d = 0.59) and a higher increase of practice frequency (p = 0.015, d = 0.52) between T1 and T2 were found for the reminder group compared to the no-reminder group. In the mediation model, practice frequency as a mediator partially explained the changes in emotional fatigue (indirect effect B =  − 0.10). Long-term effects of yoga therapy regarding fatigue, depression, and quality of life were found (F > 7.46, p < 0.001, d > 0.54). Conclusion Weekly reminder e-mails after yoga therapy can positively affect general and emotional fatigue and help cancer patients with fatigue establish a regular yoga practice at home. However, higher practice frequency did not lead to higher physical or cognitive fatigue improvement, suggesting other factors that mediate efficacy on physical or cognitive fatigue, such as mindfulness or side effects of therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 78-84
Author(s):  
M. Bakos ◽  
T. Jankovic ◽  
M. Vidiscak ◽  
S. Durdik

Introduction:Quality of life in cancer patients and probably also long term survival is negatively affected with fear of the recurrence of cancer and consequences of aggressive therapy. This is the reason for anxiety, depressions, and frustration which are accompanied by cognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders in their physical, relationship, sexual and social func- tioning. The aim of our study is to analyze the dynamics of evolution of the psychosocial loads and qualitative changes its symptomatology in cancer patients who survival 1-4 years after surgery. Material and methods:For assessment of psychosocial mor- bidity ́s in measure in surgery patients standardized question- naires of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer- questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30.3 (Quality of Life- C.30.3) and its module EORTC QLQ- BR23 were used. Results:The degree of psychosocial mortality in survival pa- tients one year after MRM in our group clearly demonstrated that these patients suffered because of consequences of psy- chosocial loads. It results from fear of recurrence of cancer and next functional, emotional, cognitive and social disorders with- out regard for surgery range. The degree of psychosocial loads in patients after MRM is still more than 4 years after end of treatment. Results show, that after the end of treatment there are many changes in their lives - anxiety and depressions can lead to psychical lability because of higher doubts, nervous- ness, irritability, helplessness and loneliness in their sufferers. Conclusion:Out-patient psychosocial interventions and pre- ventions because of negative impact of ongoing and changing psychosocial loads becomes necessary. It means that there is negative impact on quality of life; of long term cancer remis- sion and survival of patients after surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3587-3587
Author(s):  
Laura Diane Porter ◽  
Ronit Yarden ◽  
Kim Lynn Newcomer ◽  
Negeen Fathi ◽  

3587 Background: Colorectal cancer is the third-most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States. Young-onset colorectal cancer refers to individuals diagnosed under the age of 50. In recent years, the incidence has increased by 2.2% annually in individuals younger than 50 years and 1% in individuals 50-64, in contrast to a 3.3% decrease in adults 65 years and older. Young-onset (YO) CRC patients and survivors face unique clinical challenges with fertility and sexual dysfunctions, but this risk is not well quantified. There is limited data and public discussion on the long-term effects of colorectal cancer treatments on fertility and sexual dysfunction and the long-term impact on the quality of life. Methods: To explore the unique challenges and unmet needs of the young-adult patient population, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Colorectal cancer patients and survivors (N = 884) diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 50 years old (median age 42 ± 7.0) completed an online questionnaire based on established instruments EORTC-QOL-30, EORTC-CR-29, and EORTC-SHC-22. Results: Thirty-one percent of respondents stated that a medical professional spoke to them about fertility preservation at the time of diagnosis and during treatment. Only 31% were referred to a reproductive endocrinologist, even though 37% of women and 16% of men reported that treatment left them infertile or sterile. Among survey respondents, 12% of women had an egg retrieval procedure, and 36% of men had their sperm preserved prior to the start of treatment. Fifty-three percent of women reported treatment led to premature menopause. Sixty-five percent of respondents suffer from some level of sexual dysfunction due to treatment. In patients who received radiation therapy, women were 12% less likely than men to have discussed sexual side effects with the provider before treatment. Patients who have an ostomy reported more severe sexual dysfunction (17.8%). Rectal cancer patients were 2.5 times more likely than those with colon cancer to report severe dysfunction after their treatment. More than 25% of the respondents said they would have considered alternative treatment if they would have known the risks of sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: Our survey demonstrates inadequate communications between patients and providers about the irreversible fertility and sexual effects of colorectal cancer treatments. Younger patients and survivors face unique long-term challenges and require further information about fertility preservation options and emotional support regarding their sexuality post-treatment. Other studies are needed to assess the physical and psychological side effects endured by young-onset CRC patients and survivors.


The Breast ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kool ◽  
D.B.Y. Fontein ◽  
E. Meershoek-Klein Kranenbarg ◽  
J.W.R. Nortier ◽  
E.J.T. Rutgers ◽  
...  

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