Quality of life outcomes from a randomized phase III trial of cisplatin with or without topotecan in advanced carcinoma of the cervix: a Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

Abstract

Purpose: To prospectively assess the impact of treatment with cisplatin alone or in combination with topotecan (CT) on quality of life (QOL) in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer, and to explore the prognostic value of baseline QOL scores.

Patients and methods: Patients entered on Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Protocol 179 were expected to complete QOL assessments at four time points using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), Cervix subscale (Cx subscale), FACT/GOG-Neurotoxicity subscale (NTX subscale), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and UNISCALE (UNI). Adjusting for patient age, baseline scores, and effects of time, we longitudinally examined treatment effect on QOL during and after chemotherapy.

Results: Among patients randomly allocated to receive cisplatin (n = 146) or CT (n = 147), there were no statistically significant differences in QOL up to 9 months after randomization despite more hematologic toxicity in the combination arm. QOL assessments were completed at rates of 98%, 85%, 68%, and 59%, respectively, for the four time points, with similar rates and reasons for nonparticipation between regimens. Baseline FACT-G (P = .0016) and BPI (P = .0001) scores were significantly associated with patient age; older patients had better QOL and less pain. Baseline UNI was positively correlated with FACT-G (r = 0.66; P < .001) and Cx subscale (r = 0.29; P < .001), and negatively related to BPI (r = -0.41; P < .0001). Baseline FACT-Cx (FACT-G + Cx subscale) was associated with survival.

Conclusion: Despite increased toxicity, CT did not significantly reduce patient QOL when compared with cisplatin alone. Patient-reported QOL measures may be an important prognostic tool in advanced cervix cancer.