Heijkoop ST, et al. – An analysis was carried out to report on weekly–captured patient–reported Quality of Life (QoL) and symptoms during image–guided adaptive radiotherapy (IGART) of cervical cancer patients. During the radiation treatment course, a profound impact on QoL was observed, temporarily affecting functioning. In addition, the maximum impaired was reached at the end of External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT).

Methods

• Eligibility criteria were met by all locally advanced cervical cancer patients treated with IGART and brachytherapy with or without chemotherapy or hyperthermia, between January 2012 and September 2016.
• Moreover, QoL was assessed at baseline; weekly during the first five weeks of treatment; 1 week, 1 and 3 months after treatment, using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-CX24 questionnaires.
• Experts made comparisons with an age-matched norm population.

Results

• Most symptoms showed a moderate-to-large increase, reaching a maximum at the end of treatment, or first week after treatment with return to baseline value at 3 months after treatment, among the 138 (70%) responders.
• A gradual increase in most symptoms during the first five weeks was noticed.
• On the other hand, diarrhea and bowel cramps already markedly increased within the first three weeks to reach a plateau at the 5th week of treatment.
• Except for cognitive functioning, global health and functioning were temporarily decreased and returned to a plateau at baseline level 3 months after treatment.