Stage-Affected Quality of Life in Endometrial Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVE This study aims to compare the aspects of quality of life between early and advanced-stage endometrial cancer patients. METHODS From January to February 2021, women diagnosed with endometrial cancer and treated at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital were invited to participate. Two qualities of life questionnaires, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life QLQ-C30 questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the CMU Endometrial Cancer Quality of Life (gastrointestinal, urinary, lymphatic, sexual, and hormonal domains) were used. The chi-squared test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariable linear regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 103 participants were divided into two groups: 65 individuals with early-stage disease and 38 with advanced-stage disease. All participants completed the quality-of-life questionnaires. The two groups were comparable in terms of global health status/QoL for EORTC QLQ-C30. However, the early-stage group had significantly higher functional scales and quality-of-life summary scores than the advanced-stage group. As for the CMU endometrial cancer QoL, the advanced-stage group had more negative issues related to the gynecologic and hormonal system compared to the early-stage group. CONCLUSIONS Women with endometrial cancer generally have a good quality of life. Survivors of advanced stages may have a quality of life similar to those in the early stage but with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal, sexual, and hormonal complications. KEYWORDS chemotherapy, endometrial cancer, oncology, quality of life