Recurrent Cancer Is Associated With Dissatisfaction With Care-A Longitudinal Analysis Among Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer Patients

Objective The primary aim of this study was to assess the longitudinal impact of a recurrence of gynecological cancer on satisfaction with information provision and care. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of a recurrence on illness perceptions, anxiety, and depression and health-related quality of life.

Methods This study is a longitudinal analysis from the ROGY Care trial, conducted between 2011 and 2014, including patients with endometrial (n = 215) and ovarian (n = 149) cancer. Patients were invited to complete questionnaires directly after initial treatment and after 6, 12, and 24 months. Satisfaction with information provision and care, illness perceptions, anxiety, and depression were compared before and after the recurrence. Linear mixed-model analyses were conducted to assess the differences in outcomes of patients with a recurrence compared with patients without a recurrence.

Results During 2-year follow-up, 25 patients with endometrial cancer (12%) and 64 patients with ovarian cancer (43%) had recurrent disease, of whom 9 endometrial and 26 ovarian cancer patients completed at least 1 questionnaire after their recurrence was determined. Patients reported lower satisfaction with care after the diagnosis of a recurrence (doctor interpersonal skills, exchange of information between caregivers, and general satisfaction with care) compared with patients without recurrence. In addition, patients reported lower health-related quality of life, more anxiety and depression, and more threatening illness perceptions after diagnosis of a recurrence.

Conclusions After diagnosis of recurrent disease, endometrial and ovarian cancer patients were less satisfied with care compared with patients without a recurrence. Our findings suggest that patients with recurrent cancer are in need of care that is better tailored to their needs.