Prospective evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients with glioblastoma multiforme treated on a phase II trial of hypofractionated IMRT with temozolomide

J Neurooncol. 2013 Aug;114(1):111-6. doi: 10.1007/s11060-013-1159-6. Epub 2013 Jun 2.

Abstract

To report health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in glioblastoma (GBM) patients treated on a phase II trial of hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (hypo-IMRT) with temozolomide (TMZ). GBM patients received postoperative hypo-IMRT to 60 Gy in 10 fractions with TMZ. HRQOL was assessed using the EORTC quality of life questionnaire core-30 and the EORTC brain cancer module, performed at baseline, RT completion, 1 mo post-RT, and every 3 mos thereafter. Changes from baseline were calculated for each specific HRQOL scale. A ≥ 10 point change in any HRQOL scale from the mean baseline score was significant. 24 patients were treated. Compliance with HRQOL assessments at baseline, RT completion, and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mos post-RT was 100, 96, 92, 79, 70, 68 and 53 %, respectively. Up to 12 mos post-RT, no significant changes were seen in global health status, physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, fatigue, nausea, vision, headache or seizure. Significant improvement was seen in insomnia, future uncertainty, motor dysfunction and drowsiness. Significant worsening was observed in cognitive functioning, social functioning, appetite loss and communication deficit. 60 Gy hypo-IMRT in 6-Gy fractions with TMZ does not appear to negatively impact overall HRQOL.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Neoplasms / psychology
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Cognition / radiation effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dacarbazine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dacarbazine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Glioblastoma / psychology
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Karnofsky Performance Status
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated*
  • Temozolomide

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Dacarbazine
  • Temozolomide