Article Text
Abstract
Introduction/Background*Locally advanced cervical cancer can be treated by concomitant chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) followed by brachytherapy or by neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (NACT-S). Quality of life (QoL) and sexual health (SH) are important to evaluate after treatment considering the young mean age in affected women and relatively long 5-year survival. This study aims to compare differences in QoL and SH among women treated for locally advanced cervical cancer, after CCRT versus NACT-S.
Methodology In this academic single centre cross-sectional questionnaire study, we included patients > 18 years with a history of locally advanced cervical cancer, who received either CCRT or NACT-S. QoL and SH were assessed using Dutch questionnaires including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life core module 30 (QLQ-C30), the cervical cancer module 24 (QLQ-CX24), and sexual health questionnaire (SHQ-22). X2-test and T-test were performed to compare the two groups.
Result(s)*We sent the questionnaires to 105 women who were treated at our centre in the period between 01-01-2002 and 31-12-2018. A total of 36 patients (34%; n=12 CCRT; n=24 NACT-S) returned the questionnaire and were included for analysis. Six patients in the NACT-S group also underwent adjuvant CCRT. When comparing the CCRT and NACT-S group, 58% vs. 54% did “not at all” feel limited in their daily activities. QoL on average scored 63% vs. 67% (P= 0.29), in the CCRT and NACTS group respectively. Patients were at least “quite a bit” or “very much” satisfied with their sex life in 25% vs. 54% in the CCRT and NACT-S group, respectively (P= 0.048). A total of 33% vs. 46% did “not at all” communicate with medical professionals about sexual issues in the CCRT and NACT-S group, respectively.
Conclusion*QoL did not significantly differ when comparing the CCRT to the NACT-S group. Satisfaction with sexual life was higher in the NACT-S group. QoL and SH should receive more attention in patients with cervical cancer after treatment.
Clinical variables.