Georgina Casswell1, Karla Gough2, Allison Drosdowsky3, Mathias Bressel4, Andrew Coleman1, Sudi Shrestha1, Ieta D'Costa1, Tsien Fua1, Albert Tiong1, Chen Liu1, Danny Rischin5, Lachlan McDowell6. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 2. Department of Cancer Experiences, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia. 3. Department of Cancer Experiences, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 4. Centre for Biostatistics and Clinical Trials (BaCT) Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 5. Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 6. Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Lachlan.mcdowell@petermac.org.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of and characteristics associated with fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) survivors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in HPV-OPC survivors ≥12 months from completion of definitive (chemo)radiation therapy (RT/CRT). Eligible patients completed the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory short-form (FCRI-SF), the European Organisation for research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck, and PROMIS Anxiety and Depression short forms. Associations between FCRI-SF scores and other variables were investigated using linear regression models. RESULTS: A total of 136 HPV-OPC survivors were enrolled; the median age was 61 years (range, 42-87 years), 84% were male, 72% were currently partnered, 83% were current nonsmokers, 67% were regular alcohol consumers, and the median time since treatment was 2.8 years (range, 1.0-5.5 years). Clinical levels of FCR (≥13) were observed in 72 of 135 patients (53%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 45%-62%). Characteristics significantly associated with increasing FCR scores were younger age (-0.9/5 years; 95% CI, -1.7 to -0.01; P = .031), lower global quality of life (-0.8/10 unit increase; 95% CI, -1.4 to -0.2; P = .012), higher symptom interference (0.8/unit increase; 95% CI, 0.1-1.5; P = .017), and a higher burden of anxiety (0.4/unit; 95% CI, 0.3-0.5; P <.001) and depression (0.3/unit; 95% CI, 0.1-0.4; P <.001). Other sociodemographic tumor- and treatment-related characteristics were not statistically significant. Compared with patients reporting nonclinical levels of FCR, significantly more patients reporting clinical levels of FCR than expected believed professional psychological assistance would have been beneficial (60% vs 33%; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical levels of FCR were observed in approximately half of the HPV-OPC survivors. Survivors reporting higher FCR were younger with worse self-reported global quality of life and higher symptom interference and emotional distress. No other patient, tumor, or treatment factors were associated with higher FCR.
PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of and characteristics associated with fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) survivors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in HPV-OPC survivors ≥12 months from completion of definitive (chemo)radiation therapy (RT/CRT). Eligible patients completed the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory short-form (FCRI-SF), the European Organisation for research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck, and PROMIS Anxiety and Depression short forms. Associations between FCRI-SF scores and other variables were investigated using linear regression models. RESULTS: A total of 136 HPV-OPC survivors were enrolled; the median age was 61 years (range, 42-87 years), 84% were male, 72% were currently partnered, 83% were current nonsmokers, 67% were regular alcohol consumers, and the median time since treatment was 2.8 years (range, 1.0-5.5 years). Clinical levels of FCR (≥13) were observed in 72 of 135 patients (53%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 45%-62%). Characteristics significantly associated with increasing FCR scores were younger age (-0.9/5 years; 95% CI, -1.7 to -0.01; P = .031), lower global quality of life (-0.8/10 unit increase; 95% CI, -1.4 to -0.2; P = .012), higher symptom interference (0.8/unit increase; 95% CI, 0.1-1.5; P = .017), and a higher burden of anxiety (0.4/unit; 95% CI, 0.3-0.5; P <.001) and depression (0.3/unit; 95% CI, 0.1-0.4; P <.001). Other sociodemographic tumor- and treatment-related characteristics were not statistically significant. Compared with patients reporting nonclinical levels of FCR, significantly more patients reporting clinical levels of FCR than expected believed professional psychological assistance would have been beneficial (60% vs 33%; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical levels of FCR were observed in approximately half of the HPV-OPC survivors. Survivors reporting higher FCR were younger with worse self-reported global quality of life and higher symptom interference and emotional distress. No other patient, tumor, or treatment factors were associated with higher FCR.
Authors: Kelsey L Corrigan; Brian De; Michael K Rooney; Ethan B Ludmir; Prajnan Das; Grace L Smith; Cullen M Taniguchi; Bruce D Minsky; Eugene J Koay; Albert C Koong; Emma B Holliday Journal: Adv Radiat Oncol Date: 2022-04-30
Authors: Mei Jun Tran; Michael Jefford; Ben Smith; Fiona Lynch; Haryana M Dhillon; Joanne Shaw; Lachlan McDowell; Alan White; Clare Halloran; David Wiesenfeld; Maria Ftanou Journal: Pilot Feasibility Stud Date: 2022-08-10