Comparison of the impact of radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy on the quality of life of 1-year survivors with cervical cancer

Abstract

Marianthi Krikeli1, Maria T Ekonomopoulou2, Ioannis Tzitzikas3, Antonios Goutzioulis4, Kyriaki Mystakidou5, Kyriaki Pistevou-Gombaki31Department of Radiation Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Laboratory of General Biology and Genetics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; 3Radiation-Oncology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; 44th Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; 5Pain Relief and Palliative Care Department, Areteion Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, GreeceAbstract: Improvement of screening programs and new treatment strategies against cervical cancer (CC) have increased survival rates of patients in the last decades. As more women survive this type of cancer, their quality of life (QOL) has become a field of great scientific and social importance. Different types of therapy have varying results on the QOL of patients. In this study, we compared the impact of radiotherapy (RAD) and radiochemotherapy (RAD/CHEM) on CC patients’QOL. Our sample included 105 women who suffered from CC stages IA-IIIA. They were treated either with RAD or RAD/CHEM, and filled in the questionnaires 1 year after treatment completion. We used 4 questionnaires, EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QLQ-C24, Questionnaire of Post-traumatic Psychological Disorder, and Greek Symptom Control Questionnaire by M.D. Anderson, in order to assess their QOL. Except for differences in descriptive characteristics of the patients’ (age, number of children, contraceptives) and early toxicity in some organs, no statistically significant difference was observed in the main (physical, sexual, emotional) aspects of life between the 2 groups of treated patients. Treatment type had no effect on total QOL. In conclusion, the addition of CHEM to RAD in the treatment plan of CC patients had no significant impact on their QOL.Keywords: quality of life, cervical cancer, treatment, radiotherapy, radiochemotherapy