Quality of life in patients with cervical cancer and endometrial cancer during adjuvant treatment—similarities and differences useful in personalized care

Background: The most important goal of oncological therapy is to cure or achieve long-term survival while maintaining good quality of life. Currently the new idea appears that cervical cancer and endometrial cancer belong to uterus associated tumors group. Methods: The retrospective study enrolled 62 patients: 22 with cervical cancer and 40 with endometrial cancer. In this study standardized questionnaires were applied: European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaires: QLQ (Quality of life questionnaires)-C30 and QLQ-CX24 modules for cervical cancer and QLQ-EN24 for endometrial cancer. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to investigate the second aim. Results: The two studied cancers were similar with respect to global health status and functional scales. They differed in terms of emotional functioning with better functioning in endometrial cancer and some symptoms like nausea and vomiting which were more severe in women with cervical cancer. The age of the subjects, chemotherapy and the frequency of hospitalization significantly reduced the quality of life in patients in both groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: While planning holistic care for a patient with cervical or endometrial cancer during adjuvant treatment, it is important to understand the factors that may significantly affect the general health condition and quality of life. Some side effects that appear during treatment, e.g., nausea and vomiting, require appropriate adjuvant therapy.

Quality of life; Cervical cancer; Endometrial cancer; Adjuvant therapy

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