Quality of life in ovarian cancer patients: comparison of paclitaxel plus cisplatin, with cyclophosphamide plus cisplatin in a randomized study.

PURPOSE: Formal quality-of-life (QOL) assessments may contribute important information on patient symptoms. Despite many trials of systemic chemotherapy in ovarian cancer, reports of its effect on QOL are few.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: QOL was assessed in an Intergroup randomized trial comparing paclitaxel plus cisplatin to cyclophosphamide plus cisplatin in women with advanced ovarian cancer. One hundred fifty-two eligible patients accrued in Canada completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and a trial-specific checklist at baseline (after surgical debulking) and at regular intervals during and after chemotherapy. Mean change scores over time in the two arms were calculated.

RESULTS: Compliance with QOL questionnaire completion was excellent (81% to 93%). In general, deterioration was seen in the QOL domains immediately after chemotherapy (day 8 of cycle 1), followed by clinically meaningful improvements compared with baseline (change scores > or = 10) in both arms during the treatment period in a number of domains and items, including global QOL, emotional function, social function, fatigue, pain, sleep, constipation, appetite, abdominal swelling, and abdominal cramps. Improvements in global QOL persisted for the duration of follow-up. More neurosensory effects and myalgia were documented in the paclitaxel arm; however, this did not adversely affect global or other domains of QOL and improved once chemotherapy was completed.

CONCLUSION: Improvement from baseline in QOL measures was seen in both treatment arms. The greater neurologic and muscle toxicity of paclitaxel did not adversely influence QOL. QOL data can contribute useful information on the experience of symptoms and their time course, which may assist patients and physicians in their discussion about the anticipated effects of therapy.