Timing of quality of life (QoL) assessments as a source of error in oncological trials

AIM OF THE STUDY

To produce an empirical estimate of the nature and magnitude of the error produced by incorrect timing quality of life (QoL) measurements in patients receiving chemotherapy.

DESIGN

In a multicentre trial, 283 patients were randomized to receive either docetaxel (T) or sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (MF). The QoL was assessed at baseline and before each treatment using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). The study design was retrospective. Data were analysed using t-tests.

RESULTS

Erroneous timing affected the QoL findings in both treatment arms. At baseline, there were statistically significant differences in the MF group on the nausea/vomiting scale, with ill-timed assessment showing more symptoms, and in the T group on the physical functioning scale with ill-timed assessments indicating better QoL. The mean scores of correct vs. incorrect timings over the first 14 cycles showed statistically significant differences on several scales. In the MF group, ill-timed assessments indicated significantly worse physical functioning and global QoL, and significantly more of the following symptoms: fatigue, nausea/vomiting, insomnia, appetite loss, and constipation. In the T group, ill-timed assessment showed better physical functioning, less dyspnoea and more insomnia than correctly timed assessments. The reasons for erroneous timing were not always detectable retrospectively. However, in some cases the MF group, being in standard treatment, seemed to have followed a clinical routine not involving the active participation of the study nurse responsible, whereas patients in the experimental T group were more consistently taken care of by the study nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorrect timing of QoL assessments in oncological trials jeopardises both the reliability of the QoL findings within treatment and the validity of QoL outcome comparisons between treatments. This issue should be emphasized in the planning of both the study design and clinical routines.

Multimodality treatment of 128 patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma in the era of mammography screening using standard polychemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide: prognostic and therapeutic implications

BACKGROUND

Locally advanced breast carcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis. With single treatment modalities, i.e., surgery and/or radiation therapy, results have been consistently dismal. However, several earlier reports have indicated improvement in survival with a combined modality approach, i.e., the utilization of systemic therapy.

METHODS

Between 1991 and 1994, 128 patients with locally advanced noninflammatory or inflammatory breast carcinoma (LABC) were treated with a combined modality strategy consisting of 4-6 courses of preoperative 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2), epirubicin (60 mg/m2), and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) (FEC) every 3 weeks, followed by modified radical mastectomy or sector resection with axillary dissection in combination with postoperative radiotherapy and concomitant cyclophosphamide (850 mg/m2). Postoperatively, 3-5 adjuvant courses of FEC therapy were given. Nine percent of the patients received preoperative radiotherapy because the FEC therapy was not sufficiently effective. One-third of the patients were given tamoxifen (20 or 40 mg daily) at the end of the multimodal therapy.

RESULTS

Clinical responses were observed in 60% of the patients; 5% had complete responses (CR) and 55% had partial responses (PR). Stable disease (SD) was observed in 40%. No patient had progressive disease (PD) preoperatively. With a median follow-up of 37 months, the median disease free survival (DFS) and median overall survival (OS) were 29 and 54 months, respectively. The actuarial 5-year DFS and OS were 36% and 49%, respectively. The locoregional recurrence rate was 20%, and 53% of the patients experienced systemic relapse. Univariate analysis revealed a significant prognostic difference according to clinical stage of LABC in favor of less advanced stages. Clinical and biologic parameters linked to a significantly worse prognosis were the presence of inflammatory breast carcinoma and peau d'orange. There was a significant trend of worse prognosis for patients receiving below 60% and 75% of the intended dose intensity with reference to DFS and OS, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Standard dose preoperative and postoperative FEC therapy combined with surgery and radiotherapy in the era of mammography screening seem to yield results comparable to those achieved with other conventional strategies in the treatment of unscreened populations.