Quality of life and lifestyle changes during and after therapy in women with endometrial cancer: A global study of 1,066 patients (NOGGO, ENGOT, GCIG, ENGAGe-IMPROVE/EXPRESSION XI).

Abstract

5606 Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) affects many women worldwide, yet the impact of the disease and its treatment on symptoms, lifestyle and quality of life is still poorly understood. This study aims to explore differences in symptoms, lifestyle and perceptions between patients undergoing active treatment and those undergoing follow-up care in order to better understand their needs. Methods: Patients diagnosed with EC were invited to complete an 80-item survey, available in both paper and online formats. General patient characteristics such as comorbidities, tumor stage and therapy as well as symptoms during and after treatment were recorded. Participants were categorized into two cohorts: those undergoing active treatment (cohort A) and those in follow-up monitoring (cohort B). Results: A total of 1,660 patients with EC from 17 countries participated between December 2021 and December 2024. The median age of the participants was 66 years [range: 20–94]. Of these, 581 (35%) were in cohort A, and 1,079 (65%) were in cohort B. No differences in common comorbidities were observed between cohorts. Anticoagulant use was higher in cohort A (22.7%) compared to cohort B (17.0%), while vitamin intake was more common in cohort B (32.4% vs. 25.8%). Quality of life was lower in cohort A, with 68.5% currently experiencing side effects compared to 45.8% in cohort B. Symptoms such as fatigue (39.6% vs. 15.1%), pain (23.6% vs. 10.8%), constipation (16.7% vs. 8.3%), loss of appetite (14.6% vs. 1.6%), and weight loss (11.5% vs. 2.1%) were more prevalent in cohort A. Physical activity levels increased after diagnosis for 49.7% in cohort B compared to 34.1% in cohort A. Smoking habits remained largely unchanged, with 15.3% (cohort A) and 14.0% (cohort B) reporting current smoking, and only 4.9% of all patients quitting after diagnosis, despite 19.2% acknowledging potential benefits. Interest in nutritional counseling was higher in cohort A (26.2% vs. 21.7%). Patients in cohort A perceived EC as a greater health threat compared to their other comorbidities (69.2% vs. 43.6%). Conclusions: Patients tend to recover from the physical and psychological burden of active treatment, showing improvements in physical activity levels and a reduction in symptoms. However, structured programs in follow-up care are essential to achieve long-term lifestyle changes, including enhanced physical activity and dietary habits. The observed interest in nutritional counselling during treatment presents an opportunity to develop targeted interventions. Despite encouraging increase in physical activity during follow-up, additional efforts are needed to maintain and reinforce these positive changes over time. Clinical trial information: DRKS00025954 .