Cancer survivors treated with platinum-based chemotherapy affected by ototoxicity and the impact on quality of life: a narrative synthesis systematic review

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to explore the burden of inner ear damage (ototoxicity) on adults living with and beyond cancer treated with chemotherapy and the impact on their quality of life (QoL). Furthermore, this study aimed to explore patient awareness surrounding chemotherapy-induced inner ear damage, known as ototoxicity, and assess what support they had been offered. Methods Participants were adults who had undergone chemotherapy, recruited from cancer clinics, charities and social media. Using semi-structured interviews and fieldnotes, an inductive thematic analysis was used to develop key themes surrounding this topic. Results Twenty participants from the UK were interviewed. Two key themes were developed from the thematic analysis, cancer-related QoL and ototoxicity-related QoL, with each one including 5 subthemes. Subthemes consisted of impact of ototoxicity, hearing, tinnitus, clinical experience, audiological assessments, and impact of treatment, cancer and chemotherapy, other toxicities, information and patient reflections. Conclusions Ototoxicity can have a negative impact on QoL, specifically on social life and the fear of hearing loss and/or tinnitus worsening. There are opportunities for increased awareness by patients and clinicians, including improved information sources, and hearing monitoring not only for those undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy but many others surviving after treatment for cancer. Implications for Cancer Survivors Better monitoring of hearing and information about ototoxicity during chemotherapy could potentially reduce the fear of the symptoms of ototoxicity worsening. Furthermore, hearing monitoring would facilitate the detection of hearing loss at early stages of survivorship, which would facilitate earlier access to clinical interventions and longer term counselling.

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Exercise efficacy and prescription during treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-020-07733-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dominic O’Connor ◽

Malcolm Brown ◽

Martin Eatock ◽

Richard C. Turkington ◽

Gillian Prue

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Adjuvant Therapy ◽

Physical Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer and is associated with significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. Patients eligible for surgery, increasingly receive neo-adjuvant therapy before surgery or adjuvant therapy afterward, inherently exposing them to toxicity. As such, optimizing physical function through exercise during treatment remains imperative to optimize quality of life either before surgery or during rehabilitation. However, current exercise efficacy and prescription in pancreatic cancer is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to summarise the published literature on exercise studies conducted in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment with a focus on determining the current prescription and progression patterns being used in this population. Methods A systematic review of four databases identified studies evaluating the effects of exercise on aerobic fitness, muscle strength, physical function, body composition, fatigue and quality of life in participants with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment, published up to 24 July 2020. Two reviewers independently reviewed and appraised the methodological quality of each study. Results Twelve studies with a total of 300 participants were included. Heterogeneity of the literature prevented meta-analysis. Exercise was associated with improvements in outcomes; however, study quality was variable with the majority of studies receiving a weak rating. Conclusions High quality evidence regarding the efficacy and prescription of exercise in pancreatic cancer is lacking. Well-designed trials, which have received feedback and input from key stakeholders prior to implementation, are required to examine the impact of exercise in pancreatic cancer on key cancer related health outcomes.

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105 Functional Recovery in Older Women Undergoing Surgery for Gynaecological Malignancies: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz196.07 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. i34-i36

Author(s):

F E Martin ◽

T Kalsi ◽

J K Dhesi ◽

J S L Partridge

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Older Women ◽

Functional Recovery ◽

Narrative Synthesis ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Gynaecological Malignancies

Abstract Introduction Older women are increasingly undergoing surgery for gynaecological malignancies. Although survival data is available other outcomes such as functional recovery are less well described. However older people are both more vulnerable to changes in function and often prioritise function over survival. There is limited published research examining function outside of context of sexual or urodynamic function following gynaeoncology surgery but a large body or research exists examining health-related quality of life (HrQOL) both as a pre-operative risk factor for survival and as a post-treatment outcome measure in its own right. HRQOL tools may report on physical function as a subcomponent within composite tools. This systematic review and narrative synthesis describes functional recovery after gynae-oncology surgery with respect to baseline characteristics which - if identified – could enable pre- or post-operative risk reduction. Methods Systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and Cochrane Library between 1974-2018. Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts/papers for inclusion against the following criteria:Mean/median age >60Gynaeoncological treatment includes surgery (RCTs, observational or mixed methods studies).Any measure of functional ability as defined by WHO ICF classification section D1–D7 inclusive, D855, D860-79 and D9 using validated tool.Minimum pre-operative and one post-operative measure. Results analysed and presented using narrative synthesis. Results Sixteen studies identified (7 Endometrial, 2 Ovarian, 2 Vulval, 6 mixed cancer types). 1/16 used a standalone functional assessment tool, 15/16 used Health-Related Quality of Life tools (EORTC QLQ C30 (10), FACT-G (3), SF-36 (3)) comprising items describing function. More studies showed full recovery to baseline (n=11) than incomplete recovery (n=5 including 2 reporting age as a negative association). Recovery was more likely and occurred faster in minimally-invasive surgery. 1 study demonstrated failure to recover baseline functional independence by 12 months.

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The impact on quality of life in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology ◽

10.1016/j.oooo.2020.11.019 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juliana Vianna Pereira ◽

Ana Gabriela Costa Normando ◽

Carla Isabelly Rodrigues-Fernandes ◽

César Rivera ◽

Alan Roger Santos-Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Burning Mouth ◽

The Impact

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Quality of Life Among Disease-Free Survivors of Rectal Cancer

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2004.03.137 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 354-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 153

Author(s):

Philippe Rauch ◽

Joelle Miny ◽

Thierry Conroy ◽

Lionel Neyton ◽

Francis Guillemin

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rectal Cancer ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

German Population ◽

European Organization ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

The Impact ◽

Disease Free

Purpose To identify factors affecting the quality of life (QoL) of disease-free survivors of rectal cancer. Patients and Methods One hundred twenty-one patients in complete remission more than 2 years after diagnosis were asked to complete three QoL questionnaires: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30; its colorectal module, QLQ-CR38; and the Duke generic instrument. Results Patients reported less pain (P = .002) than did controls drawn from the general population. EORTC QLQ-C30 physical scores were also higher among rectal cancer survivors than in the general Norwegian or German population (P = .0005 and P = .002, respectively). Unexpectedly, stoma patients reported better social functioning than did nonstoma patients (P = .005), with less anxiety (P = .008) and higher self-esteem (P = .0002). In the present authors' experience, the QLQ-CR38 does not discriminate between these groups. Residual abdominal or pelvic pain and constipation had the most negative influence on QoL. Conclusion QoL is high among rectal cancer survivors, including stoma patients. Simultaneous use of several QoL questionnaires appears to have value in follow-up and in monitoring the effects of therapy. The impact of residual pain and constipation on long-term QoL should be considered when establishing a treatment regimen.

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