Journal article
Quality of life of patients submitted to radical radiochemotherapy for cervical cancer: comparison of outcomes between 2D and 3D image guided brachytherapy [Quality of Life of cervical cancer patients]
Brachytherapy, Vol.24(5), pp.721-728
09/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2025.06.006
PMID: 40695647
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancer among women worldwide. The standard treatment for locally advanced disease is radiochemotherapy, which may impact quality of life (QoL), particularly in patients from low- and middle-income countries where access to healthcare is limited.
To assess QoL in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with radical radiochemotherapy combined with either 2D or 3D brachytherapy, and to compare outcomes between both techniques.
A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2020. EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CX24 questionnaires were applied at five time points: before treatment, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and Bonferroni test were used (p≤0.05).
Seventy six out of 82 patients completed all the assessments. The overall mean global health status significantly improved from 63.7 to 72.0 (p=0.019), with no significant difference between the 2D and 3D brachytherapy groups (69.8 vs. 67.8; p=0.672). All functional domains of the QLQ-C30 improved over time, including financial difficulties, regardless of the brachytherapy technique. Sexual activity increased significantly (2.5 to 32.4, p<0.0001), but also did sexual worry, menopausal symptoms, reduced sexual enjoyment, and vaginal dysfunction.
Overall improvement in global health and functioning were observed in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, regardless of the brachytherapy technique used. Despite improved sexual activity, aspects of sexual dysfunction increased, highlighting the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary care that includes sexual and psychological support, emphasizing the need for individualized care.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Quality of life of patients submitted to radical radiochemotherapy for cervical cancer: comparison of outcomes between 2D and 3D image guided brachytherapy [Quality of Life of cervical cancer patients]
- Creators
- Layse Martins Gama - Universidade de São PauloErica Aranha Suzumura - Universidade de São PauloGeovanne Pedro Mauro - Universidade de São PauloPatrícia Coelho de Soárez - Universidade de São PauloHeloisa de Andrade Carvalho - Universidade de São Paulo
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Brachytherapy, Vol.24(5), pp.721-728
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.brachy.2025.06.006
- PMID
- 40695647
- NLM abbreviation
- Brachytherapy
- ISSN
- 1538-4721
- eISSN
- 1873-1449
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 07/21/2025
- Date published
- 09/2025
- Academic Unit
- Radiation Oncology
- Record Identifier
- 9984914149702771
Metrics
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