Does the toxicity of endocrine therapy persist into long-term survivorship?: Patient-reported outcome results from a follow-up study beyond a 10-year-survival

• DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06808-9
• Publication Date: 2022-11-24T15:18:15Z
• Authors: Albertini Carmen; Oberguggenberger ...; Sztankay Monika; Egle Daniel; Giesinger Johannes; Meraner Verena; Hubalek Michael; Brunner Christine
• Keywords: Breast Neoplasms; Survivorship; Clinical Trial; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Quality of Life; Humans; Female; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Follow-Up Studies

Endocrine treatment (ET) is a highly effective breast cancer but can distinctly impair patients' quality of life (QOL). In patient-reported outcome (PROs) study conducted by the authors in 2011, patients reported higher ET-induced symptom levels than known from registration trials, and was underestimated. Based on these results, we investigated long-term sequelae ET survivors (BCS) follow-up 5-10 years after an earlier assessment.BCS who had participated (n = 436) were approached for participation either at one their routine appointments or via mail; consenting asked to completed same PRO assessment used original (FACT-B + ES). BCS with relapse/ progressive disease excluded analysis. We compared endocrine symptomatology overall QOL (i.e. FACT-G -ES sum score).A final sample 268 included significant improvement (baseline mean 59 vs. 62, p < 0.001), physical 23.9 24.8, 0.01) functional well-being 21.7 22.7, 0.013) (mean baseline 88.3 90.9, 0.011). However, prevalence particular symptoms, well-known be induced, did not change over time such as joint pain 45.5% 44.2%, n.s. difference), lack energy (36.4% vs 33.8%, weight gain (36.8% 33.9%, difference) vaginal dryness (30.2% 33%, proportion reporting interest sex increased (40.4% 48.7%, 0.05).Presented results indicate that recover well terms experience some clinically relevant unfavorable ET-related effects.