Assessment of Quality of Life in Cervical Cancer Patients Undergoing Concurrent Chemo Radio Therapy- A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing annually. Most of the cervical cancer cases are diagnosed late leading to poor outcomes which affects Quality of life (QOL).

Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess and identify the impact of treatment on quality of life of advanced or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix and to assess the factors affecting the QOL in cervical cancer patients.

Methods: A Cross-sectional, Observational study conducted for 8 months in a Tertiary care cancer hospital, in cervical cancer patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy from November 2021 to June 2022 were enrolled in this study. The study was conducted among 94 cervical cancer patients attending the Department of Oncology who met the Eligibility criteria and were interviewed with a structured questionnaire of QOL. The baseline observations were recorded initially and after 3 and 6 months post treatment. We used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of cancer core-30 item (EORTC QLQ-C30) and cervical cancer module (EORTC QLQ-CX 24) to assess the survivors overall QOL.

Results: A total of 100 patients were included for analysis among them few lost to follow-up so sample of (n=94) were taken into consideration. A statistically significant improvement found in domains like physical, emotional function, pain, fatigue and vaginal and sexual function worsened significantly. No improvement in social, cognitive, sexual activity. Vaginal and sexual function worsened significantly. Overall based on Education, stage and type of cancer and severity had great impact on the quality of life.

Conclusion: Quality of life in cervical cancer patients have great improvement in terms of physical and emotional functioning. About 60% of the survivors had a good QOL. Cervical cancer patients with early stage of disease had better QOL. Carboplatin and paclitaxel in combination along with radiotherapy seems to have better QOL.