Long-term Quality of Life for Patients with Early Stage Uterine Cervical Carcinoma after Treatment

To compare the difference between treatment modalities for long-term quality of life (QoL) in patients with early stage uterine cervical carcinoma. From March 2002 to April 2003, two hundred and seventeen patients of two institutions were invited to participate. Inclusive patients were followed for at least 2 years after the completion of the treatment. They were divided into 2 groups by different treatment modalities: surgery with postoperative radiation therapy (OP+RT) and radiation therapy alone (RT alone). QoL were assessed by means of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ C-30) and side effects for uterine cervical cancer after treatment. Relative high side effects in early stage uterine cervical cancer patient treated by OP+RT were: constipation (46.8%, p < 0.001), edema of lower extremities (24.3%, p = 0.004), urine incontinence (40.5%, p = 0.041) and hot flush (13.5%, p = 0.050). Relative high side effects in early stage uterine cervical cancer patient treated by RT alone were: diarrhea (45.3%, p = 0.008) and increased vaginal discharge (14.2%, p = 0.029). The EORTC QLQ C-30 QoL items were significant better in OP+RT groups as comparison with RT alone group, including global health status (p = 0.043), cognitive function (p = 0.033), social function (p = 0.037), nausea/vomiting (p = 0.027), pain (p = 0.031), poor appetite (p = 0.009) and financial problem (p = 0.009). Constipation was worse significantly in OP+RT group than in RT alone group (p = 0.002). Our study provided comparison and analysis of long-term QoL and side effects in early stage uterine cervical cancer patients treated by different modalities. These data were helpful for clinical physician not only for selecting treatment modalities when concerning with QoL of the patients, but also for rehabilitation and supportive care of the patients after treatment.