QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER TREATED BY DOXORUBICIN AND PACLITAXEL

Abstract

Background: Metastatic breast cancer is still remains essentially incurable. Palliative chemotherapy with the combination of Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel is to reduce the burden of disease, prolong overall survival and maintain quality of life for patients. The objectives of this study to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of this regimen for patients with metastatic breast cancer and the impact on the quality of life of patients. Patients and methods: Included 26 patients with metastatic breast cancer treated by Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel at the Hue University Hospital from 2010 to 1014. Patient characteristics and response rates were recorded. Quality of life questionnaires was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 for general cancer patients and EORTC QLQ-BR23 for breast cancer. Results: Clinical response was achieved in 14 patients (53.8%), including 11.5% complete response, 43.4% partial remission and stable disease is 34.6%. The number of patients with response and stable disease are for at least 4 months prior to progression. Quality of life changes significantly statistical including: physical function decreased slightly (mean change 7.6 points) after 4 cycles of chemotherapy, cognitive function decreased slightly after the 8th cycle (8.1 points). Emotional function improved partially (7.7 points). However, the global quality of life has not changed. Changes in body image can adversely affect patients with a decrease of 15.9 points. These symptoms have been reported in breast including pain, swelling and discomfort with little difference of 2.9 points. The side effects of chemotherapy in organs such as the reduction or loss of appetite, headache, menstrual disorders vary in significance with an increase of 18.8 points. Distress associated with hair loss also increased significantly with 75.5 points. Conclusion: Paclitaxel and doxorubicin for patients with metastatic breast cancer showed significant clinical improvement and well-tolerated toxicity. Emotional function have been improved. Some aspects slightly decreased such as physical, cognitive, and distress of body image changes, side effects of chemotherapy and hair loss. However, global quality of life of was maintained. Although sample in this study was still small but routinely assess the quality of life for patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving chemotherapy should be routinely recommended.