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Rühle A, Wieland L, Hinz A, Mehnert-Theuerkauf A, Nicolay NH, Seidel C. Decision regret of cancer patients after radiotherapy: results from a cross-sectional observational study at a large tertiary cancer center in Germany. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:167. [PMID: 38546873 PMCID: PMC10978708 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05638-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The decision-making process regarding cancer treatment is emotionally challenging for patients and families, harboring the risk of decision regret. We aimed to explore prevalence and determinants of decision regret following radiotherapy. METHODS This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center to assess decision regret following radiotherapy. The study employed the German version of the Ottawa Decision Regret Scale (DRS) which was validated in the study population. Decision regret was categorized as absent (0 points), mild (1-25 points), and strong (> 25 points). Various psychosocial outcome measures were collected using validated questionnaires to identify factors that may be associated with decision regret. RESULTS Out of 320 eligible patients, 212 participated, with 207 completing the DRS. Median age at start of radiotherapy was 64 years [interquartile range (IQR), 56-72], genders were balanced (105 female, 102 male), and the most common cancer types were breast (n = 84; 41%), prostate (n = 57; 28%), and head-and-neck cancer (n = 19; 9%). Radiotherapy was applied with curative intention in 188 patients (91%). Median time between last radiotherapy fraction and questionnaire completion was 23 months (IQR, 1-38). DRS comprehensibility was rated as good or very good by 98% (196 of 201) of patients. Decision regret was reported by 43% (n = 90) as absent, 38% (n = 78) as mild, and 18% (n = 38) as strong. In the multiple regression analysis, poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, low social support, and dissatisfaction with care were independent risk factors for higher decision regret after radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The German version of the DRS could be used to assess decision regret in a diverse cohort of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Decision regret was prevalent in a considerable proportion of patients. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings and obtain causal factors associated with decision regret after radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rühle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Stephanstr. 9a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central (CCCG) Germany, Partner Site Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Leonie Wieland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Stephanstr. 9a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Hinz
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central (CCCG) Germany, Partner Site Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central (CCCG) Germany, Partner Site Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nils H Nicolay
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Stephanstr. 9a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central (CCCG) Germany, Partner Site Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Clemens Seidel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Stephanstr. 9a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central (CCCG) Germany, Partner Site Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Pfister P, Müller SLC, Eberhardt AL, Rodriguez M, Menzi N, Haug M, Schaefer DJ, Kappos EA, Ismail T. Impact of Adjuvant Radiotherapy on Free Flap Volume in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Scoping Review. J Clin Med 2023; 13:217. [PMID: 38202224 PMCID: PMC10779607 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In autologous breast reconstruction, a sufficient flap volume is fundamental to restore breast shape and ensure an aesthetic outcome. After mastectomy, postoperative irradiation is regularly indicated in the oncological treatment algorithm. When administering radiation therapy after autologous reconstruction, the tissue transferred is inherently irradiated. Although there is evidence that points to a reduction in flap volume after adjuvant radiotherapy, the data have been contradicting and inconclusive. To address this anecdotal evidence, we performed a scoping review of the current literature that addresses the effect of radiotherapy on breast flap volume. Six two-armed studies, comprising a total of 462 patients, reported on the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on free flap volume changes. Of those, two studies found a significant negative impact of radiotherapy on free flap volume, while the other four studies did not. Reported flap volume changes ranged from no change to a reduction of 26.2%, measured up to two years postoperatively. The selected studies contain varying patient numbers, follow-up timepoints, types of flaps, and measuring methods, contributing to a relatively high heterogeneity. While we present some evidence suggesting a significant impact of adjuvant radiotherapy on breast flap volume, future studies are needed to further investigate this potential correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Pfister
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Seraina L. C. Müller
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Anna-Lena Eberhardt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Medea Rodriguez
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Nadia Menzi
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Martin Haug
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dirk J. Schaefer
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth A. Kappos
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tarek Ismail
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland (M.R.); (N.M.); (M.H.); (D.J.S.); (E.A.K.); (T.I.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
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