Elizabeth L Jewell1,2, Carol Aghajanian3,4, Margaret Montovano1, Sharyn N Lewin5, Raymond E Baser6, Jeanne Carter1,7,8. 1. 1 Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, New York. 2. 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York. 3. 3 Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, New York. 4. 4 Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York. 5. 5 Gynecologic Oncology, Holy Name Medical Center , Teaneck, New Jersey. 6. 6 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, New York. 7. 7 Psychiatry Service, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, New York. 8. 8 Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To assess the emotional, reproductive, sexual health, and relationship concerns of women treated for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and examine associations with ß-hCG surveillance. METHODS: This institutional review board approved study surveyed GTN survivors (n = 51) who received treatment from 1996 to 2008. Fifty-one women, including those actively followed or formerly treated, were surveyed. The survey consisted of background/medical information, the Reproductive Concerns Scale, the Female Sexual Function Index, an item from the Abbreviated Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, the Menopausal Symptom Checklist, the Impact of Life Events Scale, and exploratory items. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 37.1 years; 41.6 years at study enrollment. Twenty-seven patients (56%) expressed worry about treatment harm and 30 (60%) about recurrence. Twenty percent reported significant depressive symptomatology. Mild cancer-related distress, reproductive concerns, sexual dysfunction, and bothersome menopausal symptoms were noted. Nineteen patients (40%) rated their ß-hCG surveillance worry as "high." Among patients who attempted conception after treatment, 3 of 12 (25%) succeeded in the ß-hCG high-worry group versus 13 of 19 (68%) in the ß-hCG low-worry group. Survivors with high ß-hCG worry had greater reproductive concerns than those with low worry (p = 0.002) and reported less sexual desire (p = 0.025). There was no difference in the number of low-worry versus high-worry participants in active surveillance (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that cancer-specific distress, sexual health, and reproductive concerns continue to impact women years after treatment. High worry about ß-hCG surveillance is negatively associated with the emotional well-being of GTN survivors and possibly influences reproductive attempts and success.
BACKGROUND: To assess the emotional, reproductive, sexual health, and relationship concerns of women treated for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and examine associations with ß-hCG surveillance. METHODS: This institutional review board approved study surveyed GTN survivors (n = 51) who received treatment from 1996 to 2008. Fifty-one women, including those actively followed or formerly treated, were surveyed. The survey consisted of background/medical information, the Reproductive Concerns Scale, the Female Sexual Function Index, an item from the Abbreviated Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, the Menopausal Symptom Checklist, the Impact of Life Events Scale, and exploratory items. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 37.1 years; 41.6 years at study enrollment. Twenty-seven patients (56%) expressed worry about treatment harm and 30 (60%) about recurrence. Twenty percent reported significant depressive symptomatology. Mild cancer-related distress, reproductive concerns, sexual dysfunction, and bothersome menopausal symptoms were noted. Nineteen patients (40%) rated their ß-hCG surveillance worry as "high." Among patients who attempted conception after treatment, 3 of 12 (25%) succeeded in the ß-hCG high-worry group versus 13 of 19 (68%) in the ß-hCG low-worry group. Survivors with high ß-hCG worry had greater reproductive concerns than those with low worry (p = 0.002) and reported less sexual desire (p = 0.025). There was no difference in the number of low-worry versus high-worry participants in active surveillance (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that cancer-specific distress, sexual health, and reproductive concerns continue to impact women years after treatment. High worry about ß-hCG surveillance is negatively associated with the emotional well-being of GTN survivors and possibly influences reproductive attempts and success.
Authors: Jeanne Carter; Yukio Sonoda; Raymond E Baser; Leigh Raviv; Dennis S Chi; Richard R Barakat; Alexia Iasonos; Carol L Brown; Nadeem R Abu-Rustum Journal: Gynecol Oncol Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 5.482
Authors: Lari Wenzel; Aysun Dogan-Ates; Rana Habbal; Ross Berkowitz; Donald P Goldstein; Marilyn Bernstein; Brenda Coffey Kluhsman; Kathryn Osann; Edward Newlands; Michael J Seckl; Barry Hancock; David Cella Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr Date: 2005
Authors: Lari Wenzel; Ross S Berkowitz; Edward Newlands; Barry Hancock; Donald P Goldstein; Michael J Seckl; Rana Habbal; Marilyn Bernstein; Brenda Kluhsman; Alanna Kulchak-Rahm; Sarah Strickland; Jo Higgins Journal: J Reprod Med Date: 2002-05 Impact factor: 0.142
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Authors: Valentina E Di Mattei; Letizia Carnelli; Martina Mazzetti; Martina Bernardi; Rossella Di Pierro; Alice Bergamini; Giorgia Mangili; Massimo Candiani; Lucio Sarno Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-04-21 Impact factor: 3.240