ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Gynecologic cancer chemotherapy impacts the quality of life (QOL) of patients, with lasting adverse events that may require treatment adjustments or discontinuation. Consequently, real-time symptom monitoring before outpatient visits has resulted in improved QOL for patients and extended survival times. This study investigated whether there are differences between electronic patient-reported outcomes (e-PRO-CTCAE) and physician-assessed outcomes (NCI-CTCAE) evaluated in an outpatient setting in gynecologic cancer chemotherapy. METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 patients who received their first chemotherapy treatment at St. Marianna University Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. PRO-CTCAE and NCI-CTCAE were evaluated at each instance of chemotherapy and 2 weeks after. The PRO-CTCAE was additionally collected weekly using e-PRO. RESULTS: The values for "Joint Pain," "Nausea," "Taste Disturbance," "Constipation," "Insomnia," "Fatigue," "Limb Edema," and "Concentration Impairment" were consistently higher in PRO-CTCAE than in NCI-CTCAE, indicating that physicians underestimated the severity of adverse events. In contrast, there was no significant difference in "Peripheral Neuropathy," demonstrating that physicians had a good understanding of this condition in patients. The weekly responses obtained from e-PRO revealed that symptom exacerbations peaked outside of clinic visits. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated physicians tend to underestimate most adverse events. Moreover, the responses using e-PRO revealed peak symptom deterioration occurred outside of outpatient visits. This suggested that e-PRO and actions taken in response to them can improve patients' QOL.
Subject(s)
Chemoradiotherapy , Genital Neoplasms, Female , Female , Humans , Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects , Genital Neoplasms, Female/drug therapy , Neoplasms , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Physicians , Quality of Life , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Although the incidence of the various gynecological cancers has been increasing in recent years, long-term survival is now possible for many patients thanks to advances in multimodality treatment. When treating gynecological cancer in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients who desire future pregnancy, it is necessary to preserve the reproductive organs and their function to prevent loss of fertility. However, because treatment targets these organs, in the large majority of cases, patients must have these organs removed. In the subfield of oncofertility, treatment of the underlying disease takes priority, and the main principle is preventing delay in treatment. Close cooperation between obstetricians and gynecologists involved in reproductive medicine and oncologists involved in cancer treatment is necessary. In addition, it is important that clinicians work closely not only with other specialists but also with such medical professionals as nurses and counselors so that cancer patients of the AYA generation can be provided the support they need to fight their cancer with hope. Herein, we describe the current status of fertility-sparing therapy for AYA patients with gynecological cancer (cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer). In addition, we explain points to keep in mind during a patient's pregnancy after fertility preservation, the latest findings on assisted reproductive technology, and the challenges and prospects of fertility preservation therapy for patients with gynecologic cancer.
