The patients' perspective on physical symptoms after radiotherapy for cervical cancer

Purpose. The aim of this study was to describe the physical symptoms experi enced by patients with advanced stages of cervical cancer during the first 2 years after radiotherapy. Methods. A questionnaire about health-related quality of life was used. It consisted of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and additional specific questions. The patie nts were assessed at the end of treatment and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 month s later. The scores from the 118 patients were compared to those from 236 h ealthy controls. Results. Most patients had acute physical symptoms at the end of treatment and up to 3 months later. Local symptoms such as frequent voiding and diarr hea may become chronic symptoms. Conclusion. Assessment of health-related quality of life includes informati on about milder side effects that is not usually included in physician scor ing of morbidity, Information about possible side effects improves the pati ent's ability to cope with the symptoms should they occur. occur. (C) 2000 Academic Press.