Age-related differences in patient burden in endometrial cancer: Findings from the international EXPRESSION XI/IMPROVE survey.

Abstract

e17622 Background: Despite favourable survival in early-stage endometrial cancer (EC), patients experience a substantial disease- and treatment-related burden that negatively affect quality of life (QoL). The aim was to compare the most burdensome problems reported by patients with EC in different age groups. Methods: This international, anonymous survey was conducted within NOGGO, GCIG, ENGOT and ENGAGe. The 80-item questionnaire covered demographics, medical history, current symptoms, lifestyle, and self-perception. Eligible participants had a history of EC, regardless of stage or treatment. Four age-based subgroups were defined: (A) <40 years, (B) 40-70 years, (C) 71-80 years, and (D) >80 years. Analyses were descriptive and exploratory. Results: Overall, 2,761 women from 20 countries completed the survey. Of these, 36 were in subgroup A, 1,105 in subgroup B, 162 in subgroup C, and 162 in subgroup D. Treatment-related side effects were largely similar across age groups, though differences were observed in hair loss, exhaustion, pain, concentration, and lymphedema. Hair loss affected 34% of patients in group C, compared to only 18% in group D. In group A, almost 40% were affected by exhaustion, whereas only 24% of group D reported exhaustion. Pain was most prevalent in group A, at 25%, while in group D it was 13%. Concentration problems were reported by 22% of group A and only 15% of group D. Group A was also most affected by lymphedema, with 19% compared to 13% in group D. With regard to the problems of the past week, it was clear that patients in A reported significantly more worries (69% vs. 50 % (B) vs. 38 % (C) vs. 29% (D)), fears (56% vs. 44 % (B) vs. 25 % (C) vs. 20% (D)), sadness (53% vs. 33 % (B) vs. 23 % (C) vs. 18% (D)), and depression (22% vs. 14 % (B) vs. 9 % (C) vs. 7% (D)). Younger patients were also more concerned about their appearance (36% vs. 9 % (B) vs. 7 % (C) vs. 5% (D)). In contrast, more patients in group C and D complained of neuropathies (33% (C) and 30% (D) vs. 17 % (A) vs. 27 % (B)). Nausea, pain, sleep problems, nervousness, inflammation in the mouth area, obstipation, diarrhea, fever, and dry skin were equally distributed across all age groups. Conclusions: Treatment- and disease-related symptoms are common in endometrial cancer survivors, with younger patients reporting more exhaustion, concentration problems, and emotional distress, while elderly patients experience more neuropathies. Age-specific differences should guide follow-up care to improve quality of life. Clinical trial information: DRKS00025954.