P14 THE IMPACT OF TRANSTHORACIC AND TRANSHIATAL ESOPHAGECTOMY ON LONG-TERM QUALITY OF LIFE ACCORDING TO EORTC QLQ-C30 AND EORTC QLQ-OG25 QUESTIONNAIRES

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Jezerskyte ◽  
L M Saadeh ◽  
E R C Hagens ◽  
M A G Sprangers ◽  
L Noteboom ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term HR-QoL in patients undergoing transhiatal versus transthoracic esophagectomy in a tertiary referral center. Background & Methods Treatment of esophageal cancers is challenging. Besides (neo)adjuvant chemo(radio)therapy different surgical approaches are possible such as transhiatal (THE) or transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) with a cervical or intrathoracic anastomosis. Studies have been performed to establish evidence which is the preferred procedure in terms of postoperative morbidity, survival and short- and long-term health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). All patients after THE or TTE for distal esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma performed between 2003 and 2016 received EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-OG25 questionnaires. All questionnaires with a follow-up of more than two years after surgery were analysed. Three HR-QoL domains were chosen as primary endpoints: problems with eating, reflux and nausea and vomiting. The secondary endpoints were the remaining HR-QoL domains, postoperative complications and pathology results. The results were corrected for possible confounders such as age and gender. Results The questionnaire response rate was 47.6%, with 56 patients in the THE group and 134 in the TTE group. The mean age was 63.5 years and a median follow-up of 3.7 years (range 24-137 months) was reached. No significant difference was found in any of the HR-QoL domains or postoperative complications between the two groups. Significantly more lymph nodes were resected in the TTE group (p<0.001). No difference was found in the lymph node metastases or radicality of surgery between the two groups. Conclusion After a long follow-up of more than two years no differences in HR-QoL or postoperative complications were found between patients with distal esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma undergoing THE or TTE esophagectomy. Based on this study we conclude that long-term quality of life should not influence the decision making for surgical approach between THE and TTE esophagectomy.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e12083-e12083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Matuschek ◽  
Carolin Nestle-Kraemling ◽  
Sylvia Wollandt ◽  
Vanessa Speer ◽  
Edwin Boelke ◽  
...  

e12083 Background: Preoperative radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy (PRT/PCRT) represents an increasingly used clinical strategy in different tumor sites. However, concerns regarding a possible unfavorable influence on the clinical outcome still exist. The aim of the current study was to examine the long-term global health status in our series of LABC patients treated with PRT/PCRT followed by breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy (ME). Methods: Of the 315 patients treated with PRT/PCRT in the years 1991 and 1999, 203 patients were still alive at long-term follow up of mean 17.7 years (range 14-21). Thirty-seven patients were lost to follow up and 58 patients refused to be contacted, which resulted in 107 patients (64 patients after BCS and 43 after mastectomy) being available and willing to undergo further clinical assessment. PRT/PCRT consisted of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with 50 Gy (5 × 2 Gy/week) to the breast and the supra-/ infraclavicular lymph nodes combined with a consecutive electron boost or (in case of BCS) a 10-Gy interstitial brachytherapy boost with Ir-192 prior to EBRT. Overall, chemotherapy was administered either prior to RT or concomitantly in the majority of patients. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires for overall QoL and EORTC QLQ-BR23 for breast-specific QoL. Results are reported using functional scales (body image, sexual functioning, sexual enjoyment, and future perspective) and symptom-related items (systemic therapy side effects, breast symptoms, arm symptoms, and upset by hair loss). The results were compared to a published reference cohort of n=2028 healthy adults (16-92 years), including n=1139 women (age 16-92 years). EORTC QLQ-C30 functional scales were also analyzed between different subgroups including an age-matched analysis with a two sided paired t-test. Results: In comparison with this healthy control group of 1139 women, we did not detect any significant differences for the functional scales measured by physical function, emotional well-being, cognitive, and social function as well as the symptom scales: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea and financial difficulties for both groups. However, significant inferior scores were found in the present study group regarding obstipation (p=0.013), loss of appetite (0.038), sleeping disorder (p=0.01) and dyspnoe (p=0.01). Conclusions: Taken together, retrospective as well as prospective data underline the feasibility of preoperative radiotherapy in breast cancer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 838-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Jezerskyte ◽  
L. M. Saadeh ◽  
E. R. C. Hagens ◽  
M. A. G. Sprangers ◽  
L. Noteboom ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is scarce evidence on whether a total gastrectomy or an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is preferred for gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers regarding effects on morbidity, pathology, survival and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in long-term HR-QoL in patients undergoing total gastrectomy versus Ivor Lewis esophagectomy in a tertiary referral center. Methods Patients with a follow-up of >1 year after a total gastrectomy or an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for GEJ/cardia carcinoma completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-OG25 questionnaires. ‘Problems with eating,’ ‘reflux,’ and ‘nausea and vomiting’ were the primary HR-QoL endpoints. The secondary endpoints were the remaining HR-QoL domains, postoperative complications and pathology results. Results Thirty patients after gastrectomy and 71 after esophagectomy were included. Mean age was 63 years. Median follow-up was 2 years (range 12–84 months). Patients after gastrectomy reported less ‘choking when swallowing’ and ‘coughing’ (β = − 5.952, 95% CI − 9.437 to − 2.466; β = − 13.084, 95% CI − 18.525 to − 7.643). More lymph nodes were resected in esophagectomy group (p = 0.008). No difference was found in number of positive lymph nodes, R0 resection or postoperative complications. Conclusions After a follow-up of >1 year ‘choking when swallowing’ and ‘coughing’ were less common after a total gastrectomy. No differences were found in postoperative complications or radicality of surgery. Based on this study, no general preference can be given to either of the procedures for GEJ cancer. These results support shared decision making when a choice between the two treatment options is possible.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 2268-2268
Author(s):  
Sylvia Faict ◽  
Nathan De Beule ◽  
Ann De Becker ◽  
Karel Fostier ◽  
Fabienne Trullemans ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a frequent treatment option for various types of lymphoma. Few studies have addressed the occurrence of long-term morbidity and the quality of life (QoL) after ASCT. We analysed the overall survival (OS), the QoL and the impact of comorbidities before and after transplant in a consecutive cohort of lymphoma patients. Methods Patients transplanted in our center between 2003 and 2013 and with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were included. Survival was analysed by Kaplan-Meier methodology and the impact of prognostic factors was examined by standard multivariate analysis. Patients were inquired to complete the Self-reported Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ) as well as the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results of questionnaires were compared to a healthy reference population. Results A total of 85 lymphoma patients were identified with a median follow-up period of 76 months. The estimated OS probability was 62,7% (S.E. 5,5%) at 5 years and 60,8% (S.E. 5,6%) at 10,9 years. Indicators of a poor prognosis at time of transplantation were: age ≥ 60 years, high-intermediate to high-risk IPI for NHL and HCT-comorbidity index ≥ 3. Of long-term (> 1 year) survivors 40 completed the EORTC QLQ-C30. They experienced lower cognitive and social functioning and reported more fatigue, dyspnea and financial difficulties, when compared to the reference population. A small proportion of patients reported significant complaints related to pain (22,5%) and fatigue (10%). Very long-term survivors (over 5 years post ASCT) had a better physical and role functioning, with less fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia and loss of appetite as compared to patients who were transplanted more recently. Patients with more self-reported comorbidities post-ASCT did significantly worse in terms of QoL after transplantation. They experienced worse physical, role, cognitive and social functioning, and had more complaints about fatigue, pain, dyspnea, diarrhea and insomnia. Conclusion The presence of comorbidities pre-ASCT, as determined by HCT-CI >3, was associated with a worse OS. Surprisingly, the overall long-term impact of ASCT on the QOL was limited with adverse effects only related to cognitive and social functions. These negative consequences also decreased over time. Finally, the occurrence of comorbidities after transplantation was associated with worse QoL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3808-3808
Author(s):  
Silke Andresen ◽  
Juliane Brandt ◽  
Sascha Dietrich ◽  
Marie-Luise Memmer ◽  
Anthony D. Ho ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3808 Introduction: High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is frequently applied in eligible patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL). The toxicity of HDCT, however, might manifest itself in the respective patients' reduced quality of life (QoL). In this study we investigated the QoL of long term survivors after HDCT in comparison with patients after conventional chemotherapy and the healthy German population. Patients and Methods: QoL was evaluated with the standardized questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D. A total of 124 patients with FL were included in the study. 63 patients (29 female) with a median age of 60.4 (range 41–80) received HDCT with PBSCT between 1992 and 2002. This group was compared with 61 patients (38 female) with a median age of 62.9, range 31–81) who were treated with Rituxmab and CHOP chemotherapy and supplementary radiation in our institution. 55 patients of 63 (88%) of the HDCT group and 25 of 61 (41%) patients of the conventional group were in continuous complete remission (CR). Median follow-up for the HDCT group is 9 years and for the conventional chemotherapy group it is 4.4 years. In addition, QoL of the patients was compared to QoL of healthy people on the basis of two studies about the general health status of the German population (R. Schwarz and A. Hinz: “Reference data for the quality of life questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30 in the general German population,” European Journal of Cancer 37 [2001]: 1345–1351; H. H. König et al.: “Health Status of the German Population: Results of a Representative Survey Using the EuroQoL Questionnaire,” Gesundheitswesen 67 [2005]: 173–182). Results: In the HDCT group, the results of the questionnaires show a reduced QoL compared to the healthy population. Regarding the three main categories of the EORTC QLQ-C30, the mean sum score for global health state (ghs) is 71.38, for functional state (fs) 78.38 and for symptomatic state (ss) 18.60 (the ideal score being 100.00 for the first two items and 0.00 for the latter). The mean value for EQ-5D is 0.911 (ideal value: 1.000) and that for VAS is 75.52 (ideal value: 100.00). The one sample t-test evaluation shows that the decrease in QoL is significant with p<0.05 in four of five of the subcategories of the functional state; six of the nine subcategories of the symptomatic state, namely fatigue, dyspnoea, insomnia, constipation, diarrhoea and financial difficulties. Patients who received conventional chemotherapy (ghs: 67.04; fs: 70.49; ss: 25.01) also showed a reduced QoL compared to the healthy population in all of the three main categories of the EORTC-QLQ-C30, in particular in the category of functional and symptomatic state. These differences were statistically significant in all subcategories of the functional state namely physical,-role,-emotional,-cognitive,- and social functioning (p=0.001). The differences of the symptomatic state were statistically significant in seven of nine subcategories, namely fatigue, pain, dyspnoea, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea and financial difficulties. When QoL of the HDCT group and the conventional therapy group were compared, there were significant differences in favor of the HDCT group only in the functional subcategory social functioning (p=0.04) and the symptomatic subcategory pain (p=0.01), with no significant differences in all other categories. In the EQ-5D questionnaire, we found a reduced QoL in patients after conventional chemotherapy compared to HDCT patients (p=0.05) and healthy people (p=0.02). Conclusions: In this long term follow up study, we found a reduced QoL in FL patients after conventional chemotherapy as well as after HDCT compared to the healthy population. There was a tendency of a better QoL in patients of the HDCT group compared to patients of the conventional chemotherapy group, maybe due to a higher proportion of patients in CR or a longer follow up period in the HDCT group. We conclude that the negative impact of both HDCT and conventional therapy on QoL of patients with follicular lymphoma should not be underestimated and should lead to the development of less toxic therapy strategies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii12-ii13
Author(s):  
S M Keshwara ◽  
A I Islim ◽  
C P Millward ◽  
C S Gillespie ◽  
G E Richardson ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Long-term Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important measure of patient wellbeing. There is a paucity of studies evaluating HRQoL in meningioma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cross-sectional study of adult patients with an incidental or symptomatic intracranial meningioma. Patients with less than 5 years of follow-up, a history of craniospinal radiation or neurofibromatosis type 2 were excluded. HRQoL was evaluated with SF-36, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BN20 questionnaires. Outcome determinants were evaluated using a multi-variable linear regression analysis, adjusted for patient, tumour and treatment characteristics, and duration of follow-up. RESULTS 699 patients were invited to participate and 246 responded: 118 (48%) had an incidental meningioma. Mean age at diagnosis was 56.8 years (SD=13) and 81% were female. Median time from diagnosis to completion of questionnaire was 8.5 years (IQR 6.8–11.5). During follow-up, 158 patients (64.2%) had at least one operation for their meningioma and 47 patients (19.1%) had radiotherapy. Of those operated, 126 (79.7%) had WHO grade 1 and 24 (15.2%) had grade 2 meningiomas. Compared to normative population values, meningioma patients reported a worse SF-36 general health score (mean 61.9 vs 56.5, P=0.003) but a similar QLQ-C30 global health score (mean 62.3 vs 65.8, P=0.039), worse SF-36 and QLQ-C30 physical functioning scores (mean 74.1 vs 64.6, P&lt;0.001 and mean 81.8 vs 76.5, P=0.007) and similar SF-36 and QLQ-C30 emotional health scores (mean 72.2 vs 70.9, P=0.367 and mean 71.0 vs 71.9, P=0.960). QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning was worse (mean 80.5 vs 71.4, P&lt;0.001). Compared to the meningioma literature, QLQ-BN20 seizure burden was similar (mean 2.0 vs 1.6, P=0.760). A worse performance status at diagnosis was associated with an inferior QLQ-C30 global health score (β-coefficient=-4.9 [95% CI -9.1-(-)0.6] P=0.024). Number of surgeries was significantly associated with a worse QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning score (β-coefficient=-7.0 [95% CI -13.2-(-)0.9], P=0.025). Anti-epileptic drug use was associated with a significantly worse QLQ-C30 emotional health score (β-coefficient=-10.9 [95% CI -21.7-(-)0.01], P=0.050). CONCLUSION Meningioma patients have long-term HRQoL impairments affecting their physical and cognitive functions. An understanding that multiple surgeries affects cognitive function, and the need for anti-epileptic drugs equate to poorer emotional health, could help target appropriate therapies and support in the future.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
GanBin Li ◽  
Tao Yu ◽  
Hao-Yu Zhang ◽  
Zhen-Jun Wang ◽  
Guang-Hui Wei ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Emergence surgery (ES) and self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) are traditional approaches for complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer. A strategy of “stents-chemotherapy-surgery” was applied in our center recently. Studies assessing the anal function and quality of life of patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer are still lacking.Methods: Patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer were included, and three treatment strategies were used, including ES, SEMS, and SEMS followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer. The Wexner, Vaizey, and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores were used to assess anal function and the EORTC QLQ C30 score was used to assess quality of life. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors affecting short-term anal function of patients.RESULTS: The Wexner scores were similar among the groups during the follow-up period. The Vaizey (H=18.415, P=0.001) and LARS scores (H=3.660, P=0.04) both revealed that anal function among patients receiving SEMS and NACwas significantly better than patients who underwent ES at the 1-month post-operative follow-up evaluation; no significant difference existed at the 6- and 12-month follow-up evaluations. The EORTC QLQ C30 score revealed that social function of patients receiving SEMS and NAC was also significantly better than patients undergoing ES (H=7.035, P=0.03). Logistic regression analysis suggested that a one-stage stoma in an emergent setting is an independent risk factor for short-term reduction of anal function among patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer (OR=5.238, 95% CI: 1.569~17.484, P=0.007).Conclusion: Compared to ES, SEMS might be able to improve the quality of life and short-term anal function in patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Jezerskyte ◽  
L M Saadeh ◽  
E R C Hagens ◽  
M A G Sprangers ◽  
L Noteboom ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in long-term health-related quality of life in patients undergoing total gastrectomy versus Ivor Lewis esophagectomy in a tertiary referral center. Background & Methods Surgical treatment for gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers is challenging. Both a total gastrectomy and an esophagectomy can be performed. Which of the two should be preferred is unknown given the scarce evidence regarding effects on surgical morbidity, pathology, long-term survival and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). From 2014 to 2018, patients with a follow-up of > 1 year after either a total gastrectomy or an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for GEJ or cardia carcinoma completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-OG25 questionnaires. Problems with eating, reflux and nausea and vomiting were chosen as the primary HR-QoL endpoints. The secondary endpoints were the remaining HR-QoL domains, postoperative complications and pathology results. Multivariable linear regression was applied taking confounders age, gender, ASA classification and neoadjuvant therapy into account. Results 30 patients after gastrectomy and 71 after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with a mean age of 63 years were included. Median follow-up was two years (range 12-84 months). Patients after total gastrectomy reported significantly less choking when swallowing and coughing (β=-5.952, 95% CI -9.437 – -2.466; β=-13.084, 95% CI -18.525 – -7.643). Problems with eating, reflux and nausea and vomiting were not significantly different between the two groups. No significant difference was found in postoperative complications or Clavien-Dindo grade. Significantly more lymph nodes were resected in esophagectomy group (p=0.008). No difference in number of positive lymph nodes or R0 resection was found. Conclusion After a follow-up of > 1 year choking when swallowing and coughing were less common after total gastrectomy. No significant difference was found in problems with eating, reflux or nausea and vomiting nor in postoperative complications or radicality of surgery. Based on this study no general preference can be given to either of the procedures for GEJ cancer. Patients may be informed about the HR-QoL domains that are likely to be affected by the different surgical procedures, which in turn may support shared decision making when a choice between the two treatment options is possible.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 5584-5584
Author(s):  
Debora Capelli ◽  
Liviana Giostra ◽  
Denise Maravalle ◽  
Pietro Leoni ◽  
Attilio Olivieri

Abstract Late effects and quality of life (QoL) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) long term adult survivors represent an unexplored field of interest. We prospectively evaluated late effects and dynamic QoL in 44 and 29 cured AML patients (17 <60 years, and 12 >60 years), treated at our department between 1997 and 2010 (7 Allogeneic, 16 Autologous Transplant, 21 chemotherapy alone). We administered EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-AN questionnaires at two different time points with a median interval of 29 months (range: 12-34 months). We stratifyed QoL scores by age at diagnosis, performance status (PS), Sorror Index, kind of leukemia treatment, comorbidity at diagnosis. We observed a worsening of emotional (-9.03; p= 0.04) and cognitive (-6.94; p= 0.05) EORTC scale scores, while FACTG (+2.9; p=0.03), emotional (+1.1; p= 0.04) and Functional (+2.25; p=0.001) well being FACT scores increased. Multivariate analysis showed that older patients had worse EORTC QLQ-C30 physical and emotional scale scores and higher values of pain symptoms in comparison to younger counterpart, with RR of 20.1 (p = 0.001), 22.7 ( p <0.04) and 18.4 (p=0.03) respectively. Elderly patients also had lower Total Outcome Index and FACT-An subscale scores (RR: 11.9, p= 0.02; and 8.77, p= 0.04 respectively). Sorror index > 2 was related to lower EORTC QLQ-C30 social scale and dyspnea scores (RR: 32.5; p=0.001 and 21.7; p=0.001 respectively) and FACT-An functional well being values (RR=3.9; p=0.001). We evaluated late effects occurring in 44 patients, since the third month after the end of treatment, with a median follow-up of 70 months (range: 12-166 months). The most frequent grade II-IV late toxicity was cardiac (3 arythmia, 9 cardiomyopathy) with 89% incidence in patients with Sorror HCT-CI score>2 at diagnosis vs 8.8% in the remaining patients and 0%, 20% and 55.5% in patients receiving respectively Daunorubicin, Idarubicin and at least two different anthracyclines. Sorror Index>2 was the only factor significantly predicting cardiotoxicity at the multivariate analysis with a RR of 82.7 (p=0.001). Twelve patients developped a transient hemochromatosis secondary to transfusions, treated with phlebotomy in 3 cases. Three patients (2 males and 1 female) had been fertile; all female patients developped menopause after Transplant. Four patients had secondary neoplasia consisting of Multiple Myeloma, breast cancer, myelodisplasia and axillary sarcoma. Our study underlines the role of Sorror Index at diagnosis in defining patients eligibility to cardio-prophylactic therapy. The analysis of larger series of cured AML patients are strongly needed in order to define guidelines for reducing long term treatment AML toxicity. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 3210-3216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaffer A. Ajani ◽  
Vladimir M. Moiseyenko ◽  
Sergei Tjulandin ◽  
Alejandro Majlis ◽  
Manuel Constenla ◽  
...  

Purpose Therapy of patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer should provide symptom relief and improve quality of life (QOL) because most patients are symptomatic at baseline. Using validated instruments, we prospectively assessed QOL (even after completion of protocol treatment) as one of the secondary end points of the V325 phase III trial. Patients and Methods Four hundred forty-five patients randomly received either docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 each on day 1 plus fluorouracil 750 mg/m2/d continuous infusion on days 1 to 5 every 3 weeks (DCF) or cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1 plus fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2/d continuous infusion on days 1 to 5 every 4 weeks (CF). The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and, where available, the EuroQOL EQ-5D questionnaire were administered every 8 weeks from baseline until progression and then every 3 months. Time to definitive deterioration of QOL parameters was analyzed. Results The proportions of patients having assessable EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D questionnaires at baseline were 86.0% and 78.7% with DCF, respectively, and 89.7% and 92.8% with CF, respectively. Time to 5% deterioration of global health status (primary end point) significantly favored DCF over CF (log-rank test, P = .01). QOL was preserved longer for patients on DCF than those on CF for all time to deterioration analyses, demonstrating the statistical superiority of DCF compared with CF. Conclusion V325 represents the largest trial with the longest prospectively controlled evaluations of QOL during protocol chemotherapy and follow-up in patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. In V325, advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer patients receiving DCF not only had statistically improved overall survival and time to tumor-progression, but they also had better preservation of QOL compared with patients receiving CF.


Author(s):  
George Du Toit ◽  
Martin Kidd

Background: Cervical cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) both have a high incidence in South Africa. Cervical cancer treatment of HIV-positive women poses challenges. Treatment-related changes in quality of life (QOL) of such women are important to future treatment protocols.Aim: To examine demographic data of HIV-negative and HIV-positive women at diagnosis of cervical cancer and describe their changes in QOL as a result of treatment.Methods and materials: All newly diagnosed patients with cervical cancer at Tygerberg Hospital were approached to participate in the study. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Cervix Cancer Module (QLQ-CX24) were used. General QOL was measured with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and cervical-specific QOL with the QLQ-CX24 questionnaire. The patients completed the questionnaire at diagnosis, on completion of treatment and at 3 months’ follow-up.Results: The study included a total of 221 women of whom 22% were HIV-positive; the latter were younger and of higher educational level than the rest. Mean monthly income and stage distribution was similar between the two groups. HIV-positive patients underwent radiation therapy more commonly than chemoradiation. HIV-positive women showed statistically significantly higher loss to follow-up during the study. HIV-positive women experienced no improvement in insomnia, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, social role or any of the sexual domains. In contrast, HIV-negative women experienced statistically significant improvement in all sexual domains other than sexual/vaginal functioning. The QOL improvement of HIV-negative women was statistically significantly greater than their HIV-positive counterparts in the majority of QOL domains. Global health improved in both groups, with HIV-negative women experiencing greater improvement. HIV-positive women experienced an initial decline of peripheral neuropathy (PN) symptoms post treatment with a return to pretreatment values at 3 months’ follow-up. The change in PN was statistically significant between the HIV-negative and HIV-positive women.Conclusion: Demographic differences exist between the HIV-negative and HIV-positive groups. The differential outcome in the QOL of HIV-positive and HIV-negative women treated for cervical cancer might be related to persistence of AIDS-related symptoms on completion of cervical cancer treatment.


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