open access

Vol 94, No 11 (2023)
Research paper
Published online: 2023-02-03
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Prospective analysis of the impact of adjuvant treatment with external beam radiation therapy and vaginal brachytherapy on health-related quality of life in patients with early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

Adam Kluska1, Bartlomiej Tomasik2, Malgorzata Moszynska-Zielinska3, Leszek Zytko3, Natalia Tracz4, Michal Spych5, Jacek Fijuth53, Leszek Gottwald53
·
Pubmed: 36929785
·
Ginekol Pol 2023;94(11):867-873.
Affiliations
  1. Brachytherapy Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
  2. Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
  3. Department of Teleradiotherapy, Regional Cancer Centre, Copernicus Memorial Hospital of Lodz, Poland
  4. Department of Radiotherapy and Oncological Gynecology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznan, Poland
  5. Department of Radiotherapy, Chair of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland

open access

Vol 94, No 11 (2023)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Gynecology
Published online: 2023-02-03

Abstract

Objectives: Our study evaluates the impact of adjuvant treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with vaginal high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR BT) on health related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

Material and methods: From March 2019 to February 2021, 60 patients were enrolled with early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, and qualified to adjuvant treatment after hysterectomy. HRQL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, with the endometrial cancer-specific HRQL module EORTC QLQ-EN24. Questionnaires were completed in four timepoints during adjuvant radiotherapy.

Results: A significant decrease in mean global health status / quality of life (p < 0.001) and role functioning (p = 0.028) was noted, as assessed in EORTC QLQ-C30 scale. Among the EORTC QLQ-C30 symptoms scales, significant differences were noted in the fatigue scale (p = 0.003), pain scale (p = 0.001), constipation scale (p < 0.001) and diarrhea scale (p < 0.001) over time. The EORTC QRQ-EN24 analysis showed significant deterioration in the urological symptoms scale (p < 0.001), gastrointestinal symptoms scale (p < 0.001) and in the mean pain in back and pelvis scale (p = 0.003).

Conclusions: Adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer after hysterectomy is associated with worse quality of life, especially due to the toxicity of the treatment in relation to the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system.

Abstract

Objectives: Our study evaluates the impact of adjuvant treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with vaginal high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR BT) on health related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

Material and methods: From March 2019 to February 2021, 60 patients were enrolled with early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, and qualified to adjuvant treatment after hysterectomy. HRQL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, with the endometrial cancer-specific HRQL module EORTC QLQ-EN24. Questionnaires were completed in four timepoints during adjuvant radiotherapy.

Results: A significant decrease in mean global health status / quality of life (p < 0.001) and role functioning (p = 0.028) was noted, as assessed in EORTC QLQ-C30 scale. Among the EORTC QLQ-C30 symptoms scales, significant differences were noted in the fatigue scale (p = 0.003), pain scale (p = 0.001), constipation scale (p < 0.001) and diarrhea scale (p < 0.001) over time. The EORTC QRQ-EN24 analysis showed significant deterioration in the urological symptoms scale (p < 0.001), gastrointestinal symptoms scale (p < 0.001) and in the mean pain in back and pelvis scale (p = 0.003).

Conclusions: Adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer after hysterectomy is associated with worse quality of life, especially due to the toxicity of the treatment in relation to the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system.

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Keywords

endometrial carcinoma; radiotherapy; brachytherapy; quality of life

About this article
Title

Prospective analysis of the impact of adjuvant treatment with external beam radiation therapy and vaginal brachytherapy on health-related quality of life in patients with early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 94, No 11 (2023)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

867-873

Published online

2023-02-03

Page views

388

Article views/downloads

315

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2023.0007

Pubmed

36929785

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2023;94(11):867-873.

Keywords

endometrial carcinoma
radiotherapy
brachytherapy
quality of life

Authors

Adam Kluska
Bartlomiej Tomasik
Malgorzata Moszynska-Zielinska
Leszek Zytko
Natalia Tracz
Michal Spych
Jacek Fijuth
Leszek Gottwald

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