ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5697

RTT - Patient experience and quality of life

ESTRO 2024

2095

Digital Poster

Cancer in the older patients: the 1-year impact of radiotherapy in quality of life

Catarina van der Elzen 1 , Alice Alves 1 , Maria José Moura 1 , Gabriela Pinto 1 , Edna Darlene Rodrigues 2,3 , Paulo Almeida 4 , Escarlata López 5 1 Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Radiation Oncology, Porto, Portugal. 2 Universidade do Porto, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal. 3 CINTESIS – Center for Health Technology and Services Research, CINTESIS – Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto, Portugal. 4 Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Medicina Interna, Porto, Portugal. 5 GenesisCare, Oncologia Radioterapica, Madrid, Spain

Purpose/Objective:

Cancer has a major impact on a patient's physical and mental health, with undeniable repercussions on quality of life (QoL). The incidence of most types of cancers is age-dependent and the progressive ageing is rapidly increasing the number of older people who need treatment for cancer. QoL assessment can be particularly useful, because the expected toxicity of treatment could be relevant in the discussion of the treatment choice. The patient's perception of the disease is an important indicator of cancer therapy outcomes.

Our goal was to study patients aged 70 or over who underwent radiotherapy (RT) around one year ago, regarding QoL.

Material/Methods:

Forty-seven older cancer patients who underwent RT around 1 year ago were evaluated using the EORTC-QLQ ELD14 questionnaire. Seven patients with cognitive impairment detected through the Mini-Mental State were excluded. Polymedicated was defined as daily use of 5 or more drugs. A descriptive analysis and assessment of the association between sociodemographic and health variables and QoL were performed. A significance level of 0.05 was considered.

Results:

The cohort consisted of 40 patients, represented in Table 1, divided by age groups 70-74 (N=13), 75-84 (N=23) and 85+ (N=4), men (N=25); most affected cancer sites were the prostate (47,5%) and the breast (22,5%); 62,5% were man and 52,5% were characterized by been polymedicated; curative RT was given in 95% of cases, with 2 cases having palliative intent. Concerning ECOG PS, 4 patients were ambulatory and capable of all selfcare; 12 were fully active and 24 were restricted in physically strenuous activity. The median follow-up time was 15.4 months. High levels of life purpose were seen in 29 patients; perception of good family support in 31; high levels of worries about others were reported by 17; high levels of worries about the future in 15; considerable cancer impact was mentioned by 14 patients. Regarding the symptoms, 17 referred significant joint stiffness and reduced mobility was seen in 8 patients. Purpose in life was lower in polymedicated patients. Difficulties in mobility and uncertainty about the future were more common in polymedicated patients, as well in females. A considerable impact of cancer, on their daily life, was more reported by female participants and those polymedicated.