scholarly journals The Change Tendency of Postoperative Symptoms in Thyroid Cancer Patients

Aims: To detect the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of Thyroid cancer (TC) patients and analyze the change tendency of TC patient’s reported symptoms after surgery. Methods: A total of 102 TC patients who underwent thyroid surgery from September 2020 to January 2021 were enrolled in this study, and received a survey on HRQoL (EORTC QLQ-C30) and disease-specific symptoms (THYCA-QoL) at 1 month and 3 months after surgery. Results: Almost all the patients experienced TC specific symptoms after surgery. At 1 month after surgery, throat/mouth problems, voice problems, neuromuscular problems, concentration problems, and less interest in sex were the top 5 reported complains. But at 3 months after surgery, less interest in sex was the top 1 reported complain, followed by throat/mouth problems, voice problems, psychological problems, neuromuscular problems and concentration problems. Meanwhile, the scores of most specific symptoms were decreased with the increase of postoperative time, while scores of less interest in sex were increased. Fatigue, insomnia and dyspnea were the most often reported common cancer-related symptoms for TC patients at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Interestingly, the scores of fatigue measured at 3 months after surgery were much lower than those measured at 1 month after surgery. Conclusions: Throat/mouth problems, voice problems, neuromuscular problems, concentration problems, less interest in sex and fatigue are the important patient reported complains that we should pay more attention after surgery.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 671-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinz-Josef Lenz ◽  
Josep Tabernero ◽  
Takayuki Yoshino ◽  
Sara Lonardi ◽  
Alfredo Falcone ◽  
...  

671 Background: N is a multiple angiokinase inhibitor (including VEGFR, PDGFR and FGFR). A randomised Phase III study, LUME-Colon 1 (NCT02149108), evaluated the efficacy and safety of N in pts with refractory mCRC after failure of standard therapies. LUME-Colon 1 showed a statistically significant improvement in PFS (HR [95% CI] 0.58 [0.49–0.69]; p < 0.0001) but no difference in OS (HR [95% CI]: 1.01 [0.86–1.19]; p = 0.8659). Here, we report the HRQoL outcomes. Methods: 768 pts with mCRC adenocarcinoma refractory to standard chemotherapy were randomised 1:1 to receive either N (200 mg bid) + BSC or P (bid) + BSC in 21-day courses until disease progression or undue toxicity. HRQoL was assessed every 21 days using the EORTC QLQ-C30 instrument; the main endpoints of interest were the differences in mean scores up to median follow-up time (treatment difference, TD) for physical functioning (PF) and global health status/QoL (QL) scales using a longitudinal model, with 95% CIs and associated p-values adjusted for baseline stratification factors. Time to deterioration (TTD) of scores and status change ( ≥ 10 point change from baseline) were also assessed. Results: Compliance with questionnaire completion was high ( > 85% in first 12 cycles). Mean baseline (N vs P) PF (80 vs 80) and QL (65 vs 65) scale scores were balanced between treatment arms. The mean TD favoured N vs P for PF scale scores (TD 2.66 [95% CI: 0.97–4.34]; p = 0.0020) and QL scale scores (TD 1.61 [95% CI: −0.04–3.27]; p = 0.0555). TTD of PF (HR 0.84; 95% CI: 0.69–1.03; p = 0.0904) and QL (HR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.75–1.08; p = 0.2674) scores were not significantly different between treatment groups, although the percentage of patients with improved PF (17.2% vs 11.8%; p = 0.0462) and QL scores (30.3% vs 21.6%: p = 0.0102) were both significantly higher for N vs P. Conclusions: In LUME-Colon 1, patient reported outcomes confirmed that overall HRQoL was not impaired by treatment with N. There was evidence for improvement of PF and QL with N vs P, corresponding to the significant increase in PFS observed. Clinical trial information: NCT02149108.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9562-9562
Author(s):  
Bjørn Henning Grønberg ◽  
Sveinung Sørhaug ◽  
Harald Harris Hjelde ◽  
Guro Birgitte Stene ◽  
Tore Amundsen

9562 Background: Physicians might overestimate benefits and underestimate toxicity of cancer therapy. Thus, patient reported HRQoL is an important part of evaluating treatment effect and assessing side effects. HRQoL is commonly reported once per chemotherapy cycle and just prior to administration of the next course (day 0). Several studies have not detected differences in HRQoL despite differences in physician-observed toxicity. We hypothesized that HRQoL varies during chemotherapy cycles; that side effects are most pronounced the first week after chemotherapy administration; and that repeated assessments improve the ability to detect differences in HRQoL. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive 3 courses of either vinorelbine/carboplatin (VC) or gemcitabine/carboplatin (GC) every 3 weeks. They reported HRQoL on the EORTC QLQ C30 + LC13 on day 0, 3, 8, 11, 15 and 22 of each cycle. A difference in mean scores of > 5 points is considered clinically detectable. Results: 52 pts (VC: 25, GC: 27); median age 65; 56 % men; 85 % stage IV; 93 % performance status 0-1; 75 % completed 3 cycles; 32 % response-rate; 71 % grade 3-4 toxicity. Baseline characteristics; treatment administered and outcomes of therapy were similar between treatment arms. Completion rates of QLQs were 96-64 %. There were significant variations in mean scores during cycles for several domains (mean scores during cycle 1 for some domains are listed in the table). For several domains, there were differences of > 5 points between the treatments arms at day 3-15 that were not detectable on day 22 (day 0 of next cycle). In general, treatment related symptoms were most pronounced on day 3 in every cycle. Conclusions: Our results suggest that timing and number of assessments influence the likelihood of detecting differences in HRQoL during chemotherapy. Day 3 was the best time point for assessing reduced function and side effects of the regimens administered in our trial. [Table: see text]


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Singer ◽  
Susan Jordan ◽  
Laura D Locati ◽  
Monica Pinto ◽  
Iwona M Tomaszewska ◽  
...  

The purpose of the study was to pilot-test a questionnaire measuring health-related quality of life (QoL) in thyroid cancer patients to be used with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30. A provisional questionnaire with 47 items was administered to patients treated for thyroid cancer within the last 2 years. Patients were interviewed about time and help needed to complete the questionnaire, and whether they found the items understandable, confusing or annoying. Items were kept in the questionnaire if they fulfilled pre-defined criteria: relevant to the patients, easy to understand, not confusing, few missing values, neither floor nor ceiling effects, and high variance. A total of 182 thyroid cancer patients in 15 countries participated (n = 115 with papillary, n = 31 with follicular, n = 22 with medullary, n = 6 with anaplastic, and n = 8 with other types of thyroid cancer). Sixty-six percent of the patients needed 15 min or less to complete the questionnaire. Of the 47 items, 31 fulfilled the predefined criteria and were kept unchanged, 14 were removed, and 2 were changed. Shoulder dysfunction was mentioned by 5 patients as missing and an item covering this issue was added. To conclude, the EORTC quality of life module for thyroid cancer (EORTC QLQ-THY34) is ready for the final validation phase IV.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 133-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Verma ◽  
Joyce O'Shaughnessy ◽  
Howard A. Burris ◽  
Mario Campone ◽  
Emilio Alba ◽  
...  

133 Background: In the MONALEESA-2 trial, ribociclib + letrozole significantly improved progression-free survival and showed higher overall response rates vs placebo + letrozole in hormone receptor–positive, HER2– advanced breast cancer. Here, we present key patient-reported outcomes including health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: Six hundred sixty-eight patients were randomized (n = 334 for each treatment group). Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated during treatment and at progression using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. Changes from baseline in all subscales were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model, and time to 10% deterioration was compared between treatment arms using the stratified log-rank test. Results: Questionnaire adherence rates were high ( > 90%). During treatment, HRQoL (global health status/QoL score) was maintained and similar in both treatment arms. At progression/end of treatment, HRQoL worsened numerically in both arms. Time to definitive 10% deterioration of HRQoL was similar between treatment groups, slightly favoring the ribociclib + letrozole arm (hazard ratio, 0.944; 95% confidence interval, 0.720–1.237). No statistically or clinically relevant differences were observed for key symptoms using EORTC QLQ-C30 including fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. There was clinically relevant improvement ( > 5 points) in pain from baseline to post baseline (through cycle 15) in the ribociclib + letrozole arm, but only mild improvement (≤5 points) in the placebo + letrozole arm. Conclusions: Ribociclib + letrozole maintained HRQoL, and a numerical trend favoring ribociclib + letrozole was observed for pain reduction and delay. Clinical trial information: NCT01958021.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yacir El Alami ◽  
Hajar Essangri ◽  
Mohammed Anass Majbar ◽  
Saber Boutayeb ◽  
Said Benamr ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life is mainly impacted by colorectal cancer which justified the major importance addressed to the development and validation of assessment questionnaires. We aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Moroccan Arabic Dialectal version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Moroccan version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 on colorectal cancer patients from the National Oncology Institute of Rabat, in the period from February 2015 to June 2017. The QLQ-C30 was administered to 120 patients. Statistical analysis included reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity as well as known-groups comparisons. Results In total, 120 patients with colorectal cancer were included in the study with 38 (32%) patients diagnosed with colon cancers. Eighty-two patients (68%) had rectal cancer, among which 29 (24%) patients with a stoma. The mean age of diagnosis was 54 years (+/− 13.3). The reliability and validity of the Arabic dialectal Moroccan version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 were satisfactory. [Cronbach’s alpha (α =0.74)]. All items accomplished the criteria for convergent and discriminant validity except for question number 5, which did not complete the minimum required correlation with its own scale (physical functioning). Patients with rectal cancer presented with bad Global health status and quality of life (GHS/QOL), emotional functioning as well as higher fatigue symptoms compared to patients with colon cancer. The difference between patients with and without stoma was significant for diarrhea and financial difficulty. Conclusions The Moroccan Arabic Dialectal version of the QLQ-C30 is a valid and reliable measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with colorectal cancer.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3826
Author(s):  
Oumar Billa ◽  
Franck Bonnetain ◽  
Jérôme Chamois ◽  
Angeline Ligey ◽  
Valérie Ganansia ◽  
...  

The impact of routine assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on satisfaction with care and the HRQoL of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiotherapy was assessed. Patients with HNC were randomly assigned to two arms, with stratification on sex, cancer localization, and stage of the disease. In the intervention arm, the patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires first before randomization, then before each medical appointment during radiotherapy (7 weeks), and then every 3 months until 1 year and at 2 years thereafter. In the control arm, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires were completed before randomization and at 1 year and 2 years thereafter. The primary endpoint was mean change in HRQoL at score at 2 years from baseline assessed by EQ VAS from the EuroQol questionnaire. The secondary endpoint was mean change in satisfaction with care at 2 years from baseline assessed by QLQ-SAT32. Two hundred patients with head and neck cancers were involved in this study (mean age, 58.83 years (range, 36.56–87.89)), of whom 100 were assigned to the intervention arm and 100 to the control arm. Patients in the intervention arm were reported to have a statistically significant increase in EQ VAS at 2 years (p < 0.0001) and exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (mean change at 2 years from baseline = 10.46). In the two arms, mean differences between arms were not statistically significant, but minimal clinically important differences in favor of the intervention arm were found for EQ VAS (mean change difference (MD) = 5.84), satisfaction with care, in particular waiting times (MD = 10.85) and satisfaction with accessibility (MD = 6.52). Routine assessment of HRQoL improves HRQoL and satisfaction with care for patients with HNC treated with radiotherapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cohen MV ◽  
◽  
de Fátima Teixeira P ◽  
Vaisman M ◽  
Vaisman F ◽  
...  

Background: Low risk thyroid cancer can be treated with lobectomy or total thyroidectomy. Studies have shown that the risk of recurrence does not differ between the two surgeries, although there are higher rates of complications with total thyroidectomy. Our study aimed to find if there were differences in quality of life and thyroid function in the two treatments. Methods: Low risk DTC survivors answered three QoL questionnaires (EQ5D3L, SF36, and EORTC QLQ C30) and had their thyroid function evaluated. Results: Twenty-six lobectomy patients and 101 total thyroidectomy were included. Hypoparathyroidism occurred more in the total thyroidectomy, and TSH was more likely to be on target (0.5-2.0) in lobectomy. There was no difference between groups regarding QoL, but there was a significant difference regarding thyroid function. In SF36 form, TSH off target led to more physical limitations, pain, less vitality, and worse social aspects. Abnormal total T3 level was associated with pain, less vitality, and worse mental health. In the EORTC QLQ C30, off target TSH led to worse role functioning, fatigue, and nausea. EQ5D form showed that worse utility index was found when TT3 was not in normal range. Conclusion: This study showed there was a difference among thyroid function, specially TSH depending on type of surgery. When uncontrolled, TSH was associated with worse aspects of the quality of life. Therefore, lobectomy patients have a better thyroid function control and less surgical complications which might have an impact in some aspects of the quality of life when compared to total thyroidectomy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 583-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacie Hudgens ◽  
Jonathon Gable ◽  
Matthew H. Kulke ◽  
Emily Bergsland ◽  
Lowell Brian Anthony ◽  
...  

583 Background: Telotristat ethyl is a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor in development for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome (CS) in patients who receive somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy. In TELESTAR, a pivotal Phase 3 study, telotristat ethyl significantly reduced bowel movement (BM) frequency compared to placebo. Objective: The objective of this study was to psychometrically assess meaningful change in BM frequency using data collected within the TELESTAR study. Methods: An anchor-based approach consisted of mapping change from baseline in BM frequency to other patient reported assessments of change. These included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) Diarrhea Symptom responders, the EORTC GI.NET21 GI Symptom responders, and patient reported adequate relief at Week 12 (responders had a ≥ 10-point decrease in scores from Day 1 to Week 12). Parameters included within group mean change from baseline to Week 12, t-tests of the change (Wilcoxon Rank Sum for adequate relief), effect size (ES: calculated as the difference between mean on-treatment and baseline BM frequency, divided by the standard deviation of the baseline), and related confidence intervals. Results: There were 135 patients with CS, with a mean age of 63.6 years and mean baseline BM frequency of 5.7 BM/day. Anchor-based analyses indicated significant differences in BM frequency between adequate relief groups at Week 12 (ES: -1.58 vs. -0.79; p = 0.014), responders and non-responders on the EORTC QLQ-C30 Diarrhea Symptoms domain (ES: -1.24 vs. -0.59; p < 0.0001), and responders and non-responders on the EORTC GI.NET21 GI Symptoms Domain (ES: -1.49 vs. -0.75; p = 0.0053). These corresponded to BM frequency reductions of 1.7-1.9 BM/day, or ≥ 30%. Conclusions: Results of this study indicated that patients with CS experienced clinically meaningful reductions in BM frequency of ≥ 30% over the course of 12 weeks.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 3391-3398
Author(s):  
Floor M. van Nuenen ◽  
Stacey M. Donofrio ◽  
Marrit A. Tuinman ◽  
Harry B. M. van de Wiel ◽  
Josette E. H. M. Hoekstra-Weebers

Abstract Purpose This study investigated the effect of the “Screening for Distress and Referral Need” (SDRN) process (completing a screening instrument; patient-caregiver discussion about the patient’s responses, regardless of distress level, and possible referral to specialized care), implemented in Dutch oncology practice on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Methods A non-randomized time-sequential study was conducted to compare two cohorts. Cohort 1 respondents (C1) were recruited before and cohort 2 respondents (C2) after SDRN implementation in nine Dutch hospitals. Participants completed the EORTC-QLQ-C30, HADS, Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-III, and the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT&PL). Descriptive analyses and univariate tests were conducted. Results C2 respondents (N = 422, response = 54%) had significantly lower mean scores on the practical (t = 2.3; p = 0.02), social (t = 2.3; p = 0.03), and emotional PL domains (t = 2.9; p = 0.004) compared with C1 (N = 518, response = 53%). No significant differences were found on quality of life, anxiety, depression, satisfaction with care, distress level, the spiritual and physical PL domains, or on referral wish. Conclusions After implementation of SDRN, patients report significantly fewer psychosocial (practical, social, and emotional) problems on the DT/PL but responses on the other patient-reported outcomes were comparable. These results add to the mixed evidence on the beneficial effect of distress screening. More and better focused research is needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (1117) ◽  
pp. 20200848
Author(s):  
Filippo Alongi ◽  
Michele Rigo ◽  
Vanessa Figlia ◽  
Francesco Cuccia ◽  
Niccolò Giaj-Levra ◽  
...  

Objective: The main aim of the current analysis was to explore the hypothetical advantages using rectal spacer during 1.5T MR-guided and daily adapted prostate cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) compared to a no-rectal spacer hydrogel cohort of patients. Methods: The SBRT-protocol consisted of a 35 Gy schedule delivered in 5 fractions. Herein, we present a dosimetric analysis between spacer and no-spacer patients. Furthermore, treatment tolerability and feasibility were preliminarily assessed according to clinicians-reported outcomes at the end of treatment and patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) in both arms. Toxicity and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after treatment using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 5.0, International Prostatic Symptoms Score, ICIQ-SF, IIEF-5, and EORTC-QLQ-C30 and PR-25 questionnaires. Results: 120 plans (pre- and daily adaptive SBRT planning) were analyzed in 20 patients (10 patients in spacer group and 10 patients in no-spacer group) treated using 1.5T MR-guided adaptive SBRT. Statistically significant dosimetric advantages were observed in favor of the spacer insertion, improving the planning target volume coverage in terms of V33.2Gy >95% and planning target volume 37.5 Gy <2% mainly during daily-adapted SBRT. Also, rectum V32, V28 and V18Gy and bladder V35Gy <1 cc were significantly reduced in the spacer cohort. Concerning the PROMS, all questionnaires showed no difference between the pre- and post-SBRT evaluation in both arms, excepting the physical functioning item of EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire that was declined in the no-spacer group. Conclusion: These preliminary results strongly suggest the adoption of perirectal spacer due to dosimetric advantages not only for rectal sparing but also for target coverage. Longer follow-up is required to validate the clinical impact in terms of clinicians-reported toxicity and PROMs. Advances in knowledge: This the first experience reporting preliminary data concerning the potential dosimetric impact of rectal hydrogel spacer on MR-guided SBRT for prostate cancer.


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