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The impact of surgery for vulval cancer upon health‐related quality of life and pelvic floor outcomes during the first year of treatment: a longitudinal, mixed methods study
- Source :
- Psycho-Oncology
- Publication Year :
- 2015
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2015.
-
Abstract
- Objective To measure the long‐term impact of surgical treatment for vulval cancer upon health‐related quality of life and pelvic floor outcomes during the first year of therapy. Methods Prospective, longitudinal, mixed‐methods study. Twenty‐three women aged >18 years with a new diagnosis of vulval cancer were recruited. The EORTC QLQ C30, SF‐36 and an electronic pelvic floor assessment questionnaire (ePAQ‐PF) were administered at baseline (pre‐treatment) and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post‐treatment. Mixed effects repeated measures models (all adjusted for age and BMI) were used to investigate changes over time and differences between cancer stage. Qualitative interviews were carried out with 11 of the women and analysed using a thematic approach. Results Mean age was 59.9 years (SD = 15.3; range = 23.8–86.6 yrs). Mean BMI was 30.0 (SD = 4.5; range = 24.4–38.2). Sixteen women had early (Stage 1 to 2B), and seven women had advanced stage disease (Stage 3 to 4B). Questionnaire scores revealed that physical and social functioning, fatigue, pain and general sex life were significantly worse at 12 months than pre‐treatment (p = < 0.05). Qualitative analysis revealed multiple treatment side effects which were perceived as severe and enduring. Women with advanced vulval cancer had significantly worse SF‐36 mental health scores at 12 months compared to women with early stage disease (p = 0.037). Conclusions Surgery for vulval cancer has long‐term implications which can be persistent 12 months post‐treatment. High rates of morbidity relating to lymphoedema and sexual function re‐enforce the need for specialist clinics to support women who suffer these complications. © 2015 The Authors. Psycho‐Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Subjects :
- Paper
Adult
medicine.medical_specialty
Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Quality of life
Surveys and Questionnaires
medicine
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Prospective Studies
Survivors
Young adult
Prospective cohort study
Aged
Neoplasm Staging
Aged, 80 and over
030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine
Pelvic floor
Vulvar Neoplasms
business.industry
Repeated measures design
Cancer
Pelvic Floor
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Surgery
Psychiatry and Mental health
medicine.anatomical_structure
Oncology
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Sex life
Papers
Quality of Life
Physical therapy
Female
business
Sexual function
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 10991611 and 10579249
- Volume :
- 25
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Psycho-Oncology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....1048e21e7bd692c0f0e915d5c6234ccf