1 research outputs found
Quality of Life During and After Completion of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal and Junctional Cancer
Background. The course of health-related quality of life
(HRQOL) during and after completion of neoadjuvant
chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for esophageal or junctional
carcinoma is unknown.
Methods. This study was a multicenter prospective cohort
investigation. Patients with esophageal or cancer to be
treated with nCRT plus esophagectomy were eligible for
inclusion in the study. The HRQOL of the patients was
measured with European Organization for Research and
Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, QLQ-OG25, and QLQCIPN20 questionnaires before and during nCRT, then 2, 4,
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 weeks after nCRT and before
surgery. Predefined end points were based on the hypothesized impact of nCRT. The primary end points were
physical functioning, odynophagia, and sensory symptoms.
The secondary end points were global quality of life,
fatigue, weight loss, and motor symptoms. Mixed modeling
analysis was used to evaluate changes over time.
Results. Of 106 eligible patients, 96 (91%) were included
in the study. The rate of questionnaires returned ranged
from 94% to 99% until week 12, then dropped to 78% in
week 16 after nCRT. A negative impact of nCRT on all
HRQOL end points was observed during the last cycle of
nCRT (all p\ 0.001) and 2 weeks after nCRT (all
p\ 0.001). Physical functioning, odynophagia, and sensory symptoms were restored to pretreatment levels
respectively 8, 4, and 6 weeks after nCRT. The secondary
end points were restored to baseline levels 4–6 weeks after
nCRT. Odynophagia, fatigue, and weight loss improved
after nCRT compared with baseline levels at respectively 6
(p\0.001), 16 (p = 0.001), and 12 weeks (p \0.001).
Conclusion. After completion of nCRT for esophageal
cancer, HRQOL decreases significantly, but all HRQOL
end points are restored to baseline levels within 8 weeks.
Odynophagia, fatigue, and weight loss improved
6–16 weeks after nCRT compared with baseline levels