Impact of time elapsed since diagnosis on neuropathic symptoms, sexual function, lymphedema, and overall quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors (KGOG 3068).

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of time since treatment on the quality of life (QOL), neurotoxicity, sexual function, lymphedema, and utility in ovarian cancer survivors.

METHODS

This secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study examined the QOL, neurotoxicity, sexual function, lymphedema, and utility in 172 epithelial ovarian cancer survivors treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy without recurrence. Associations between time since treatment and overall QOL (National Comprehensive Cancer Network/functional assessment of cancer therapy ovarian symptom index-18 [NFOSI-18]), neurotoxicity (neurotoxicity subscale, version-4 [NTX-4]), sexual function (female sexual function index, 6-item Korean version [FSFI-6K]), lymphedema (gynecologic cancer lymphedema questionnaire [GCLQ]), and utility (EuroQol 5-dimension [EQ-5D]) were visualized using jittered box plots.

RESULTS

Overall QOL (NFOSI-18) improved up to 3 years post-treatment (scores: 29.3 at 1 year, 28.6 at 2 years, and 26.6 at 3 years), followed by minor fluctuations over time. NTX-4 scores improved until 5 years (8.2, 7.7, 6.2, and 5.8), but remained above normal (score 0). Sexual function (FSFI-6K) increased until 3 years of age (4.6, 6.9, and 10.4 years), stabilizing at a level indicative of dysfunction (score <21). The lymphedema (GCLQ) scores fluctuated over time (4.9, 5.6, 3.3, 4.3, 5.2, and 3.8). Utility (EQ-5D index) improved up to 3 years (0.8250, 0.885, and 0.925), whereas the EQ-5D visual analog scale score increased gradually up to 5 years (71.5, 72, 73, 76, and 74), indicating ongoing recovery.

CONCLUSION

In ovarian cancer survivors, QOL, symptom burden, and utility gradually improved over time post-treatment but did not fully return to pre-treatment levels.