Effect of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy on Health-Related Quality of Life in Esophageal or Junctional Cancer: Results From the Randomized CROSS Trial

Bo Jan Noordman, Mathilde G E Verdam, Sjoerd M Lagarde, Maarten C C M Hulshof, Pieter van Hagen, Mark I van Berge Henegouwen, Bas P L Wijnhoven, Hanneke W M van Laarhoven, Grard A P Nieuwenhuijzen, Geke A P Hospers, Johannes J Bonenkamp, Miguel A Cuesta, Reinoud J B Blaisse, Olivier R Busch, Fiebo J W Ten Kate, Geert-Jan M Creemers, Cornelis J A Punt, John Th M Plukker, Henk M W Verheul, Ernst J Spillenaar BilgenHerman van Dekken, Maurice J C van der Sangen, Tom Rozema, Katharina Biermann, Jannet C Beukema, Anna H M Piet, Caroline M van Rij, Janny G Reinders, Hugo W Tilanus, Ewout W Steyerberg, Ate van der Gaast, Mirjam A G Sprangers, J Jan B van Lanschot

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Abstract

Purpose To compare pre-agreed health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains in patients with esophageal or junctional cancer who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgery or surgery alone. Secondary aims were to examine the effect of nCRT on HRQOL before surgery and the effect of surgery on HRQOL. Patients and Methods Patients were randomly assigned to nCRT (carboplatin plus paclitaxel with concurrent 41.4-Gy radiotherapy) followed by surgery or surgery alone. HRQOL was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and -Oesophageal Cancer Module (QLQ-OES24) questionnaires pretreatment and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. The nCRT group also received preoperative questionnaires. Physical functioning (PF; QLQ-C30) and eating problems (EA; QLQ-OES24) were chosen as predefined primary end points. Predefined secondary end points were global QOL (GQOL; QLQ-C30), fatigue (FA; QLQ-C30), and emotional problems (EM; QLQ-OES24). Results A total of 363 patients were analyzed. No statistically significant differences in postoperative HRQOL were found between treatment groups. In the nCRT group, PF, EA, GQOL, FA, and EM scores deteriorated 1 week after nCRT (Cohen's d: -0.93, P < .001; 0.47, P < .001; -0.84, P < .001; 1.45, P < .001; and 0.32, P = .001, respectively). In both treatment groups, all end points declined 3 months postoperatively compared with baseline (Cohen's d: -1.00, 0.33, -0.47, -0.34, and 0.33, respectively; all P < .001), followed by a continuous gradual improvement. EA, GQOL, and EM were restored to baseline levels during follow-up, whereas PF and FA remained impaired 1 year postoperatively (Cohen's d: 0.52 and -0.53, respectively; both P < .001). Conclusion Although HRQOL declined during nCRT, no effect of nCRT was apparent on postoperative HRQOL compared with surgery alone. In addition to the improvement in survival, these findings support the view that nCRT according to the Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer Followed by Surgery Study-regimen can be regarded as a standard of care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)268-275
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of clinical oncology
Volume36
Issue number3
Early online date21 Nov 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Journal Article

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