Samantha A Diamond-Rossi1,2, Jacqueline Jonklaas1, Roxanne E Jensen3, Charlene Kuo4, Selma Stearns5, Giuseppe Esposito6, Bruce J Davidson7, George Luta8, Gary Bloom9, Kristi D Graves10. 1. Division of Endocrinology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA. 2. Division of Endocrinology, INOVA Schar Cancer Institute, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA, USA. 3. Outcomes Research Branch, Health Care Delivery Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA. 4. Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA. 5. Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK. 6. Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA. 7. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA. 8. Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Biomathematics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA. 9. ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., Olney, MD, USA. 10. Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA. kdg9@georgetown.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Despite having a generally favorable prognosis, differentiated thyroid cancer is known to have a significant, long-term impact on the quality of life of survivors. We wished to investigate short- and long-term effects among thyroid cancer survivors following radioactive iodine therapy. METHODS: We conducted eight focus groups (N = 47) to understand patients' experiences of short- and long-term effects after radioactive iodine treatment and the impact these treatment-related side effects had on patients' quality of life. We elicited responses regarding experiences with side effects following radioactive iodine treatment, particularly salivary, lacrimal, and nasal symptoms. We transcribed audiotapes and conducted qualitative analyses to identify codes and themes. RESULTS: We identified eight broad themes from the qualitative analyses. Themes reflecting physical symptoms included dry mouth, salivary gland dysfunction, altered taste, eye symptoms such as tearing or dryness, and epistaxis. Psychosocial themes included lack of knowledge and preparation for treatment, regret of treatment, and distress that thyroid cancer is labeled as a "good cancer." CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid cancer survivors reported a wide range of radioactive iodine treatment-related effects and psychosocial concerns that appear to reduce quality of life. The psychosocial concerns reported by participants underscore the significant unmet information and support needs prior to and following RAI treatment among individuals diagnosed with thyroid cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Future research is needed to help both patients and physicians understand the effect of radioactive iodine on quality of life, and to better assess the benefits versus the risks of radioactive iodine therapy.
PURPOSE: Despite having a generally favorable prognosis, differentiated thyroid cancer is known to have a significant, long-term impact on the quality of life of survivors. We wished to investigate short- and long-term effects among thyroid cancer survivors following radioactive iodine therapy. METHODS: We conducted eight focus groups (N = 47) to understand patients' experiences of short- and long-term effects after radioactive iodine treatment and the impact these treatment-related side effects had on patients' quality of life. We elicited responses regarding experiences with side effects following radioactive iodine treatment, particularly salivary, lacrimal, and nasal symptoms. We transcribed audiotapes and conducted qualitative analyses to identify codes and themes. RESULTS: We identified eight broad themes from the qualitative analyses. Themes reflecting physical symptoms included dry mouth, salivary gland dysfunction, altered taste, eye symptoms such as tearing or dryness, and epistaxis. Psychosocial themes included lack of knowledge and preparation for treatment, regret of treatment, and distress that thyroid cancer is labeled as a "good cancer." CONCLUSIONS:Thyroid cancer survivors reported a wide range of radioactive iodine treatment-related effects and psychosocial concerns that appear to reduce quality of life. The psychosocial concerns reported by participants underscore the significant unmet information and support needs prior to and following RAI treatment among individuals diagnosed with thyroid cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Future research is needed to help both patients and physicians understand the effect of radioactive iodine on quality of life, and to better assess the benefits versus the risks of radioactive iodine therapy.
Entities:
Keywords:
Benefit/risk; Lacrimal; Quality of life; Radioiodine; Salivary; Symptoms; Thyroid cancer
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