The patients' perspective on physical symptoms after radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

Abstract Purpose. The aim of this study was to describe the physical symptoms experienced by patients with advanced stages of cervical cancer during the first 2 years after radiotherapy. Methods. A questionnaire about health-related quality of life was used. It consisted of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and additional specific questions. The patients were assessed at the end of treatment and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months later. The scores from the 118 patients were compared to those from 236 healthy controls. Results. Most patients had acute physical symptoms at the end of treatment and up to 3 months later. Local symptoms such as frequent voiding and diarrhea may become chronic symptoms. Conclusion. Assessment of health-related quality of life includes information about milder side effects that is not usually included in physician scoring of morbidity. Information about possible side effects improves the patient's ability to cope with the symptoms should they occur.