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Unanticipated toxicities from anticancer therapies: Survivors’ perspectives

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Abstract

Context

Improved therapies in oncology have resulted in increased survival across numerous malignancies, shifting attention to other aspects of the cancer experience. In particular, the impact of treatment-related toxicities has gained considerable attention, due to their physical and psychosocial effects, and possible impact on clinical outcome. These untoward events have not been examined from the survivors' perspective.

Objective

To identify and describe treatment-related toxicities having a negative effect on quality of life from the perspective of cancer survivors.

Design

Quantitative study using written questionnaires and content analysis.

Setting

Cancer survivors' workshop across the United States.

Participants

A total of 379 participants from six survivor groups: breast (n = 250), ovarian (n = 27), lung (n = 23), colorectal (n = 15), genitourinary (n = 23), and other cancers (n = 45).

Outcome measures

Survivors' perceptions on treatment-related dermatologic, gastrointestinal, and constitutional toxicities.

Results

Survivors reported an increased concern regarding dermatologic toxicities, including irritated and dry skin, after receiving their cancer treatment. These events had a negative effect on their lives. Although gastrointestinal and constitutional toxicities also had a negative effect, the concern over their development was unchanged prior to and after treatments.

Conclusion

The impact of dermatologic toxicities is unanticipated prior to cancer treatments. Since these events have a negative effect on survivors' lives, pretreatment counseling and effective interventions are vital in order to maximize quality of life and minimize unnecessary treatment interruptions or discontinuations.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Marty McGough for statistical support, Carolyn Messner at CancerCare® for assistance with survey data, and Lindi skin® for sponsoring the survey. MEL is supported by a Zell Scholarship from the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and a Career Development Award from the Dermatology Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair St., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Mona Gandhi & Mario E. Lacouture

  2. University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Karen Oishi

  3. Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Beth Zubal

  4. SERIES Clinic, Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Mario E. Lacouture

Authors
  1. Mona Gandhi
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  2. Karen Oishi
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  3. Beth Zubal
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  4. Mario E. Lacouture
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mario E. Lacouture.

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Gandhi, M., Oishi, K., Zubal, B. et al. Unanticipated toxicities from anticancer therapies: Survivors’ perspectives. Support Care Cancer 18, 1461–1468 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0769-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0769-1

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