Why am I still suffering?': experience of long-term fatigue and neurocognitive changes in oropharyngeal cancer survivors following (chemo)radiotherapy
Authors
Iyizoba-Ebozue, Z.Nicklin, E.
Price, James
Prestwich, R.
Brown, S.
Hall, E.
Lilley, J.
Lowe, Matthew
Thomson, D. J.
Slevin, F.
Murray, L.
Boele, F.
Affiliation
Department of Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UKIssue Date
2024
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
BACKGROUND: Late effects of cancer treatment, such as neurocognitive deficits and fatigue, can be debilitating. Other than head and neck-specific functional deficits such as impairments in swallowing and speech, little is known about survivorship after oropharyngeal cancer. This study examines the lived experience of fatigue and neurocognitive deficits in survivors of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer and impact on their daily lives. METHODS: This work is part of the multicentre mixed method ROC-oN study (Radiotherapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer and impact on Neurocognition), evaluating fatigue and neurocognitive function in patients following radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer and impact on quality of life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in adults treated with radiotherapy (+/-chemotherapy) for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma >/=24 months from completing treatment. Reflexive thematic analysis performed. RESULTS: 21 interviews (11 men and 10 women; median age 58 years and median time post-treatment 5 years) were conducted and analysed, yielding six themes: (1) unexpected burden of fatigue, (2) noticing changes in neurocognitive function, (3) the new normal, (4) navigating changes, (5)insufficient awareness and (6)required support. Participants described fatigue that persisted beyond the acute post-treatment period and changes in neurocognitive abilities across several domains. Paid and unpaid work, emotions and mood were impacted. Participants described navigating the new normal by adopting self-management strategies and accepting external support. They reported lack of recognition of these late effects, being poorly informed and being unprepared. Follow-up services were thought to be inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue and neurocognitive impairment were frequently experienced by survivors of oropharyngeal cancer, at least two years after treatment. Patients felt ill-prepared for these late sequelae, highlighting opportunities for improvement of patient information and support services.Citation
Iyizoba-Ebozue Z, Nicklin E, Price J, Prestwich R, Brown S, Hall E, et al. "Why am I still suffering?": Experience of long-term fatigue and neurocognitive changes in oropharyngeal cancer survivors following (chemo)radiotherapy. Technical innovations & patient support in radiation oncology. 2024 Jun;30:100241. PubMed PMID: 38510557. Pubmed Central PMCID: PMC10951087. Epub 2024/03/21. eng.Journal
Technical Innovations & Patient Support Radiation OncologyDOI
10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100241PubMed ID
38510557Additional Links
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100241Type
ArticleLanguage
enae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100241