Health-related quality of life in patients with advanced colorectal cancer: results from a phase II study of S-1 combined with irinotecan (CPT-11).
BACKGROUND
We carried out this study to examine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 plus irinotecan (CPT-11).


METHODS
HRQOL was assessed at baseline (pretreatment) and at 5-week intervals during treatment, using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires. The HRQOL data for 12 preselected scales and 21 courses of treatment were then analyzed longitudinally.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven patients completed the baseline and post-treatment HRQOL assessments. Statistically significant differences between the baseline and post-treatment HRQOL scores were observed for the global QOL, social function, and pain scales (all QLQ-C30), as well as the body image, future perspective, gastrointestinal tract symptoms, weight loss, and chemotherapy side effects scales (all QLQ-CR38); favorable post-treatment results were observed for all the scales except for body image and chemotherapy side effects, for which post-treatment deteriorations were observed. The changes in body image, future perspective, weight loss, and chemotherapy side effects were each greater than ten points and seemed clinically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined treatment with S-1 plus CPT-11 resulted in an acceptable deterioration in HRQOL functioning and symptoms, compared with baseline levels.
Tsunoda
Akira
A
Department of Surgery, Kameda Medical Center, 929 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa, Chiba, 296-8602, Japan. a.tsunoda@kameda.jp
Yasuda
Naokuni
N
Nakao
Kentaro
K
Narita
Kazuhiro
K
Watanabe
Makoto
M
Matsui
Nobuaki
N
Tsunoda
Yuko
Y
Kusano
Mitsuo
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010094:Oxonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004338:Drug Combinations; C079198:S 1 (combination); D005641:Tegafur; D010094:Oxonic Acid; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002166:Camptothecin