Life Experience of Survivors of Gynecologic Cancers: A Survey Conducted in Italy.

BACKGROUND: The study of health-related quality of life in survivors of gynecologic cancers is becoming increasingly important as 1.5 million survivors of gynecologic cancer in the United States and more are expected due to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This project investigated the perceived needs and lived experiences of survivors of gynecological cancer to help design supportive activities to be implemented in clinical practice. METHODS: Patients were recruited in hospitals or through social media and responded to an online survey that was addressed to patients in Italy, specifically in Sicily, Puglia, and Campania. Patients with ovarian, endometrium, or cervix cancer were recruited among women attending Cannizzaro Hospital and Alleanza Contro il Tumore Ovarico (Alliance Against Ovarian Cancer) members. RESULTS: Body image perception was changed in 82.3% of respondents, whereas familial relationships were described as changed by 27.5% of women. In 69.6% of patients, sexual habits were hindered by changes in the body, depression, pain, and awkwardness. Physicians informed patients about sexuality changes related to cancer extensively in 16.7% of cases and briefly in 19.6% of cases. The advice of a clinical sexologist was considered potentially helpful by 31.4% of patients and not potentially helpful by 47.1%, whereas 21.6% of patients had no opinion. CONCLUSIONS: Although sexual habits are often changed by cancer, women surviving gynecological cancer rarely seek medical advice in this area. Physicians should be trained to inform patients and to promote referrals to sexologists.

Prognostic factors in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: In clinical trials of recurrent and metastatic head and neck carcinoma, Argiris et al have identified prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), weight loss, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), tumor primary site, tumor differentiation, prior radiotherapy, deriving a two-group prognostic classification. This study evaluates Argiris's classification in "field-practice" patients. METHODS: The main analysis included 327 cases; a secondary analysis excluded 31 patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) p16-positive and/or human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive. OS and PFS curves were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method; multivariable Cox analyses were also performed. RESULTS: In the full series, OS was significantly different in patients with 0-2 and ≥3 adverse features (median, 14 vs 10 months; P = .03). PFS was statistically different in the two groups (median, 7 vs 5 months; P = .02). At a multivariable analysis investigating additional prognostic features, site of relapse and disease-free interval were significant predictors of OS and PFS. CONCLUSION: The Argiris's model was confirmed in a "field-practice" population. Moreover, we found additional putative prognostic factors.