Understanding the quality of life (QOL) issues in survivors of cancer: towards the development of an EORTC QOL cancer survivorship questionnaire

• DOI: 10.1186/s12955-018-0920-0
• Publication Date: 2018-06-04T10:38:17Z
• Authors: Marieke van Leeuwen; Olga Husson; Paola Alberti; Juan Ignacio Arraras; Olivier L. Chinot; Anna Costantini; Anne-Sophie Darli...; Linda Dirven; Martin Eichler; Eva B. Hammerlid; Bernhard Holzner; Colin D. Johnson; Meropi Kontogianni; Trille Kristina Kjær; Ofir Morag; Sandra Nolte; Andrew Nordin; Andrea Pace; Monica Pinto; Katja Polz; John Ramage; Jaap C. Reijneveld; Samantha Serpentini; Krzysztof A. Toma...; Vassilios Vassiliou; Irma M. Verdonck-...; Ingvild Vistad; Teresa E. Young; Neil K. Aaronson; Lonneke V. van de...
• Keywords: Cancer Survivorship; Cancer survivor

The number of cancer survivors is growing steadily and increasingly, clinical trials are being designed to include long-term follow-up assess not only survival, but also late effects health-related quality life (HRQOL). Therefore it essential develop patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that capture the full range issues relevant disease-free survivors. objectives this project are: 1) a European Organisation for Research Treatment Cancer (EORTC) questionnaire captures physical, mental social HRQOL survivors; 2) determine at which minimal time since completion treatment should be used. We reviewed 134 publications on survivorship interviewed 117 with 11 different types across 14 countries in Europe generate an exhaustive, provisional list resulting issue list, EORTC core (QLQ-C30), site-specific modules were completed by second group 458 identified 116 generic issues. These covered body image, cognitive functioning, health behaviors, negative positive outlook, distress, health, fatigue, sleep problems, physical pain, several symptoms, sexual problems. Patients rated most acute symptoms its (e.g. nausea) as no longer approximately one year after treatment. Compared existing questionnaires, our findings underscore relevance assessing related chronic side such neuropathy joint pain. will further three adult who least post-treatment.