Objective: Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy is currently the surgical treatment of cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of patients with cervical cancer treated by radical hysterectomy by laparoscopy.
Patients and methods: Quality of life was evaluated in 22 patients with cervical cancer (FIGO stade IB1-IIB) treated by laparoscopic radical hysterectomy. The study employed two types of survey questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C 30 and QLQ-OV 28.
Results: After a median follow-up of 25 months (range: 12-48 months), the average global health scores and quality of life after the surgery was high, indicating a good overall quality of life. The symptoms most commonly implicated were fatigue and insomnia. The average symptom scores (abdominal, peripheral neuropathy, side effects of chemotherapy) was low, meaning little inconvenience. It noted, however, an exception for the symptoms of menopause that generate significant discomfort in several patients. Among patients with a regular sexual activity, most described a change in frequency and quality of reporting.
Discussion and conclusions: Patients with cervical cancer treated by laparoscopy have good overall quality of life. The function that is most affected by the treatment in the majority of patients is sexual function. A comparative prospective study with laparotomy would be necessary.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.