In:
Journal of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Vol. 33, No. 29_suppl ( 2015-10-10), p. 104-104
Abstract:
104 Background: Symptoms reported by women with cervical cancer (CCx) include pain, fatigue, lymphedema, sexual dysfunction, proctitis, cystitis, constipation and diarrhea. The objective of this study was to delineate and measure the symptom distress experienced by patients with advanced CCx at the time of palliative care (PC) referral. Methods: A total of 156 advanced CCx patients were referred to PC from 2010 to 2012. Of these, 88 patients had completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Results: At the time of presentation mean age was 45 (25-76), 47% were Caucasian, 18% African American, and 33% Hispanic. Fifty-one percent were married; 64% had no advance directives; 75% had recurrent disease. Clinically significant symptoms (defined as ESAS scores ≥ 4) were pain (81%), anorexia (72%), a poor feeling of well-being (70%), fatigue (69%), and insomnia (54%). The chief complaint was pain in 94% of patients. According to the PC specialists’ assessment, pain (96%), emotional distress (77%), and constipation (50%) were predominant symptoms. Various palliative care interventions including opioids, laxatives, and expressive supportive counseling were provided. The median time from advanced cervical diagnosis to PC consultation was 6.0 months (95% CI 5.0-7.8) and the median survival after first PC visit was 4.8 months (95% CI 3.4-6.2). Clinically significant symptoms including nausea, depression, anxiety, and feeling of well-being showed significant improvements at follow-up visits. Conclusions: More than half of patients with advanced CCx were significantly burdened with pain, anorexia, poor feeling of well-being, fatigue, insomnia, and constipation at the time of PC referral. Clinically significant symptoms showed improvements at follow-up visits. In patients with significant symptom distress, early PC involvement may be important to improve quality of life.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0732-183X
,
1527-7755
DOI:
10.1200/jco.2015.33.29_suppl.104
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2005181-5
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