Gynecological Cancer Patients

Routine follow-up of patients with gynecological malignancies aims to detect early recurrence, to reassure and support patients and to evaluate treatment outcomes. Follow-up programs are provided in different clinical settings but the benefit in terms of survival has been questioned. Health care professionals are challenged to shift their focus from survival/recurrence to patients’ psychosocial concerns, supportive care needs, or any other distressing symptoms that affect well-being and quality of life. Gynecological cancer patients have psychosocial needs that are currently not adequately addressed during their routine follow-up visits. The objective of this study is to identify physical and psychosocial problems after completion of gynecological cancer treatment. The endpoints of interest in this study are physical, psychological and social problems; overall health related quality of life; sexual health; the level of distress, anxiety and depression; and satisfaction with care and care needs. The study sample will be composed of the consecutive series of gynecologic cancer patients after primary treatment attending participating hospitals for routine follow-up. Patient will be asked to complete Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) including the Distress Thermometer, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and specific modules adapted for the study sample. We aim to include 1100 patients stratified by cancer sites (Ovarian, Cervical, Endometrial, Vulvar cancer) and different treatment regimens. The study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of both, the physical and psychosocial effects of gynecologic cancer and its treatment. The results can provide insights in the needs of cancer patients and survivors following treatment. This evidence based data can be used to redefine follow-up programs including objective outcomes (risk of recurrence, late adverse treatment effects) as well as subjective outcomes such as patients’ psychosocial distress and quality of life.

21 sites are active, 1030 patients recruited

Recruitment ongoing

End of recruitment expected end 2022

Gynecological cancer patients have psychosocial needs that are currently not adequately addressed during their routine follow-up visits. The objective of this study is to identify physical and psychosocial problems after completion of gynecological cancer treatment. During a follow-up visit patient will be asked to complete Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) including the Distress Thermometer, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and specific modules adapted for the study sample. The results can provide insights in the needs of cancer patients and survivors following treatment.