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Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study was to
evaluate the feasibility in terms of safety and quality of life in a
sample of Italian patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer and
submitted to either extensive upper abdomen or standard surgery, through
validated questionnaires.
Methods: From January 2006 to November 2011, a
prospective, observational study was conducted to compare quality of
life in patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer and submitted to
primary cytoreduction in the Division of Gynecology of the University
Campus Bio-Medico of Rome. After surgery patients were stratified into 2
groups (group A: standard surgery or group B: extensive upper abdomen
surgery). All patients were submitted to standard chemotherapy. At
completion of treatment, during the first follow-up visit, all eligible
patients were asked to fill in Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30
(QLQ-C30) (version 3.0) and European Organisation for Research and
Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-OV28 (QLQ-OV28)
questionnaires.
Results: Eighty-nine patients were enrolled into our
study. Nine were excluded, so finally 80 patients were considered in
this study. Group A included 40 patients and underwent standard surgery
(pelvic surgery); group B, included 40 patients and underwent extensive
upper abdomen surgery. There were no statistical differences in terms of
major surgical complication rates (15% vs 10%). We registered same
times of beginning of chemotherapy (median, 19 vs 21 days) and no severe
related toxicities. Quality-of-life scores of both questionnaires were
comparable between groups, with the exception of Global Health Status in QLC-30.
Conclusions: Upper abdomen surgery is a feasible and
safe therapeutic option. Patients present same times of beginning of
chemotherapy without an increase in chemorelated toxicities and
experience the same general quality of life.
"A questionnaire can consist of several scales and items. The QLQ-C30 for
example includes five functional scales (physical, role, emotional,
cognitive and social), three symptom scales (fatigue, nausea &
vomiting and pain) and a global health status/QOL scale. Furthermore, it
contains six single items (dyspnoea, insomnia, appetite loss,
constipation, diarrhea and financial difficulties)."
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