Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3318435 | Pancreatology | 2006 | 10 Pages |
Abstract
Background: A phase III trial suggested that a PEFG (cisplatin, epirubicin, 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine) regimen might improve the outcome compared to gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The analysis of treatment impact on quality of life (QOL) is reported. Method: Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and PAN-26 questionnaires at baseline and every second month of treatment until disease progression. Results: The largest differences between arms favored PEFG. Expressed as improvement ⥠10 points from baseline (PEFG/gemcitabine), these were: emotional function (43/18%), fatigue (41/17%), QOL (55/29%), pain (64/41%), and flatulence (50/26%). Only change in sexual function favored gemcitabine (19/42%). Physical function, fatigue, appetite, and satisfaction with healthcare improved in 40-46% of partial responders compared with 0-12% of patients with stable disease. Conclusion: Clinically relevant improvement in QOL from baseline was observed more often after PEFG than after gemcitabine, suggesting that the PEFG regimen did not impair QOL, Partial response was associated with improved QOL suggesting that effective treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma may have an important role in these patients.
Related Topics
Health Sciences
Medicine and Dentistry
Gastroenterology
Authors
Michele Reni, Elisa Bonetto, Stefano Cordio, Paolo Passoni, Carlo Milandri, Stefano Cereda, Anna Spreafico, Laura Galli, Roberto Bordonaro, Carlo Staudacher, Valerio Di Carlo, Colin D. Johnson,