Guler Yavas1, Cagdas Yavas1, Nasuh Utku Dogan2, Tolgay Tuyan Ilhan3, Selen Dogan2, Pinar Karabagli4, Ozlem Ata5, Ebru Yuce6, Cetin Celik3. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. 4. Department of Pathology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. 5. Department of Medical Oncology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. 6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ufuk University, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the emotional, sexual and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) concerns of the women with gynecologic malignancy treated with curative radiotherapy (RT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 100 women with diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy were prospectively enrolled. HRQoL at baseline, at the end of RT and during follow-up was assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ-cervical cancer module 24, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: The appetite loss, diarrhea, fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, pain scores, and sexual activity and sexual enjoyment scores were deteriorated after RT (P = 0.02 for pain scores and P < 0.001 for all other). Body image scores were higher in patients with endometrial cancer (P < 0.01). The emotional function, nausea and vomiting, body image and symptom experience scores were higher in patients who underwent chemotherapy (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01). All the complaints of patients improved during follow-up period. The global health status scores and the level of depression deteriorated in patients with locoregional recurrent disease and distant metastasis. The anxiety (P = 0.001) and depression (P = 0.007) levels were higher in basal and after-RT visits but then decreased through the subsequent follow-up visits. CONCLUSION: Although pelvic RT deteriorated HRQoL in patients with gynecologic malignancy, HRQoL improved during the follow-up period. The progressive disease had a negative impact on HRQoL.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the emotional, sexual and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) concerns of the women with gynecologic malignancy treated with curative radiotherapy (RT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 100 women with diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy were prospectively enrolled. HRQoL at baseline, at the end of RT and during follow-up was assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ-cervical cancer module 24, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: The appetite loss, diarrhea, fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, pain scores, and sexual activity and sexual enjoyment scores were deteriorated after RT (P = 0.02 for pain scores and P < 0.001 for all other). Body image scores were higher in patients with endometrial cancer (P < 0.01). The emotional function, nausea and vomiting, body image and symptom experience scores were higher in patients who underwent chemotherapy (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01). All the complaints of patients improved during follow-up period. The global health status scores and the level of depression deteriorated in patients with locoregional recurrent disease and distant metastasis. The anxiety (P = 0.001) and depression (P = 0.007) levels were higher in basal and after-RT visits but then decreased through the subsequent follow-up visits. CONCLUSION: Although pelvic RT deteriorated HRQoL in patients with gynecologic malignancy, HRQoL improved during the follow-up period. The progressive disease had a negative impact on HRQoL.