BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The treatment for cervical cancer among young women can result in adverse effects that contribute to a negative quality of life (QOL). The literature shows varied studies on the QOL of cervical cancer patients, but evidence on the local context is limited, particularly in young patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the QOL of young women with cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional research design was employed. A total of 72 cervical cancer patients who were 40 years old and younger and treated with chemoradiation were recruited using complete enumeration. The study locale was in a tertiary government hospital, which is a training center for gynecologic oncology in the Philippines. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and EORTC QLQ of women with Cervical Cancer (CX24) served as data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe and synthesize the data.

RESULTS

Seventy-two young women with cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation reported a mean global health status score of 4.75, indicating a moderate QOL. However, functional domains were generally low, with the lowest scores in cognitive (1.71), social (1.64), and physical interference with social activities (1.96). The average symptom score was 2.10, reflecting moderate symptomatology. On the EORTC QLQ-CX24, most QOL aspects were rated low, except for body image (2.01), menopausal symptoms (2.31), and sexual worry (2.79). Sexual enjoyment scored the lowest at 1.16, with an overall average of 1.71.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights low-to-moderate QoL among young cervical cancer patients post-chemoradiation, underscoring the need for improved supportive care addressing physical, psychological, and social challenges caused by the disease and treatment modality.

Human ; Female ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Quality Of Life

Neurofibromatosis is defined by tumors called neurofibromas that grow along nerves in the body, or under the skin. It is an autosomal dominant disorder probably a neural crest origin, that affects all three germ layers therefore it can involve any organ system. Although eight subtypes have been proposed to date, the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference has defined 2 distinct types: Neurofibromatosis type 1 or von Recklinghausen disease which affects 85 percent of patients, and Neurofibromatosis type 2, or bilateral acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannomas which affects 10 percent of patients.

Neurofibromatosis 1 is one of the most common genetic disorders that affect all races and both sexes equally. The estimated incidence rate of Neurofibromatosis in the Philippines has not yet been established due to lack of data. The clinical expression of Neurofibromatosis 1 is extremely variable bbut neurocutaneous manifestation is the most commonly observed. The cutaneous manifestation ranges from a small nodular to a giant pedunculated dermal lesion. Although recurrence of neurofibroma is common, the involvement of the female genital tract in neurofibromatosis 1 is uncommon and vulva is the most frequent genital location, but vaginal, cervical, uterine and ovarian neurofibromas have rarely been reported. This paper presents a case of the 47 year old nulligravid with recurrent vulvar neurofibroma for four times compounded by noticeable involvement of the abdomino-pelvic organs from which she underwent series of surgical excisions in order to preserve the normal appearance and much so to optimize the function of the organ affected.

Human ; Female ; NEUROFIBROMATOSES ; VULVA