Abstract P3-09-17: One year of adjuvant hormone therapy does not increase patient fatigue: Results of a prospective early stage breast cancer trial

Abstract

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer may alter a patient's mental and physical quality of life. Estrogen effects on the brain may be neuroprotective or detrimental, and adjuvant endocrine therapy may influence cognitive functions including fatigue. We previously reported that three months of adjuvant hormone therapy was not associated with change in fatigue. The purpose of this study was to prospectively determine the incidence of fatigue in early stage breast cancer patients during one year of adjuvant hormone therapy. METHODS: Seventy-four consecutive patients of a single medical oncologist with newly diagnosed hormone dependent breast cancer prescribed adjuvant hormone therapy enrolled in this prospective study. Data collected included age, race, menopausal status, breast cancer stage, body mass index, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT)-F, Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), short form 36 (SF-36), and cognitive failure questionnaire (CFQ). All tests were administered by one nurse prior to hormone initiation (0 mo) and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months (mo) of therapy. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t test for paired data with a p value of <0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Prior to starting therapy, a third of patients had a FAS score of >22, consistent with moderate to severe fatigue. After 12 months of therapy, 52 patients (13 premenopausal, 39 postmenopausal) were still receiving adjuvant hormone therapy and had completed serial testing. Twenty patients received chemotherapy prior to institution of hormone treatment. There were no significant changes in FACIT-F, FAS, SF-36, or CFQs scores during the first 12 months of treatment. 0 mo3 mo6 mo9 mo12 moFACIT-F44 (7-52)*42 (3-52)43 (3-52)43 (2-52)44 (6-52)FAS17 (10-43)18 (10-48)17 (10-48)20 (10-48)19 (10-50)Weight, lb.159 (102-256)162 (102-258)161 (102-258)163 (102-263)164 (101-258)SF-36 Total72 (12-100)68 (15-99)83 (15-99)76 (15-99)82 (7-100)CFQ70 (39-94)69 (34-92)68 (34-94)67 (28-96)70 (20-96)* Median (Range) Although during the first six months, a small but significant increase in body weight occurred, there was no significant difference between the initial and 12 month body weight. CONCLUSION: Prior to adjuvant hormone therapy institution, breast cancer patients often have significant problems with fatigue. However, the first 12 months of adjuvant hormone therapy does not appear to affect fatigue or cognitive failure. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-09-17.