Patrick A Williams1, Shu Cao2, Dongyun Yang3, Richard L Jennelle4. 1. Dept of Radiation Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA. patalbwil@gmail.com. 2. Biostatistics Core, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA. shu.cao@med.usc.edu. 3. Biostatistics Core, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA. 4. Dept of Radiation Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: It is not known which side effects (SEs) cancer patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy (RT) perceive as worse than others. Our objectives were to (1) identify the worst SEs in patients receiving definitive RT-predominant treatment using patient-reported outcomes and (2) investigate the prominence of physical SEs relative to psychosocial SEs. METHODS: In a single-center outpatient radiation oncology clinic, patients were surveyed on the final day of definitive RT. Sixty-seven cards listed SEs (40 physical and 27 psychosocial), and patients ranked the five most severe. Fifteen points were assigned to the top five selected SEs with descending scores of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients completed ≥ 4 weeks of RT with or without concurrent chemotherapy and had not received ≥ 4 weeks of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with head and neck and pelvis cancers perceived physical SEs as worse relative to psychosocial SEs; physical SEs filled 78% and 69% of the 15 points, respectively. In breast cancer patients, however, psychosocial SEs filled 45% of the 15 points in breast cancer patients (anxiety, depression, and sequelae), compared to 25% in others (P = 0.007). Affects my work, home duties, a SE not associated with the treatment itself, was the most frequently cited psychosocial SE (20% of cohort) and was ranked ninth overall. CONCLUSION: Perceptions of SEs of cancer RT are dominated by physical quality of life (QoL) concerns and are influenced by the anatomic area receiving RT. Psychosocial QoL concerns are significantly more frequent in breast cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02978846.
PURPOSE: It is not known which side effects (SEs) cancer patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy (RT) perceive as worse than others. Our objectives were to (1) identify the worst SEs in patients receiving definitive RT-predominant treatment using patient-reported outcomes and (2) investigate the prominence of physical SEs relative to psychosocial SEs. METHODS: In a single-center outpatient radiation oncology clinic, patients were surveyed on the final day of definitive RT. Sixty-seven cards listed SEs (40 physical and 27 psychosocial), and patients ranked the five most severe. Fifteen points were assigned to the top five selected SEs with descending scores of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients completed ≥ 4 weeks of RT with or without concurrent chemotherapy and had not received ≥ 4 weeks of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with head and neck and pelvis cancers perceived physical SEs as worse relative to psychosocial SEs; physical SEs filled 78% and 69% of the 15 points, respectively. In breast cancer patients, however, psychosocial SEs filled 45% of the 15 points in breast cancer patients (anxiety, depression, and sequelae), compared to 25% in others (P = 0.007). Affects my work, home duties, a SE not associated with the treatment itself, was the most frequently cited psychosocial SE (20% of cohort) and was ranked ninth overall. CONCLUSION: Perceptions of SEs of cancer RT are dominated by physical quality of life (QoL) concerns and are influenced by the anatomic area receiving RT. Psychosocial QoL concerns are significantly more frequent in breast cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02978846.
Entities:
Keywords:
Health-related quality of life; Patient-reported outcomes; Physical side effects; Psychosocial side effects; Radiation oncology
Authors: Angela M Stover; Rachel Kurtzman; Jennifer Walker Bissram; Jennifer Jansen; Philip Carr; Thomas Atkinson; C Tyler Ellis; Ashley T Freeman; Kea Turner; Ethan M Basch Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2021-07-20 Impact factor: 6.575