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A Prospective, Longitudinal Study of the Functional Status and Quality of Life of Older Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy.
- Source :
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society; Jul2006, Vol. 54 Issue 7, p1119-1124, 6p, 3 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To examine the toxicity experienced by a cohort of older women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and the longitudinal effect on their functional status and quality of life (QOL). DESIGN: A geriatric assessment measuring functional status, comorbidity, mood, nutritional status, and QOL was performed before chemotherapy, at the end of chemotherapy, and 6 months later. SETTING: This prospective longitudinal study was conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients aged 65 and older with Stage I to III breast cancer receiving any adjuvant chemotherapy; 49 were evaluable. MEASUREMENTS: The chemotherapy regimen and the toxicity to chemotherapy were recorded. A geriatric assessment was performed before the start of chemotherapy, on completion of chemotherapy, and 6 months after completion of chemotherapy. QOL testing was performed at the same times. RESULTS: Patients (mean age 68, range 65-84) received an anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen (n=15) or cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m² intravenously (IV), methotrexate 40 mg/m² IV, 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m² IV every 3 weeks for eight cycles (n=34). Grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurred in 53% (n=26), hematological toxicity in 27% (n=13), and nonhematological toxicity in 31% (n=15). Despite toxicity, there was no significant longitudinal change in functional status or QOL. CONCLUSION: Despite toxicity from adjuvant chemotherapy, this cohort of relatively young older patients maintained their functional status and QOL from before chemotherapy to 6 months postchemotherapy. Subtle changes in higher-order functioning would require assessment using different geriatric assessment tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00028614
- Volume :
- 54
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 21437358
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00789.x