Temporary Fatigue Relates to Tumor Response in Patients With Rectal Cancer
October 19, 2009
Lower fatigue levels at baseline and following chemoradiation therapy treatment (CRT) for rectal cancer significantly predict pathologic tumor response, according to a paper published Nov. 1, 2009, online in the Red Journal.
In a study of 51 participants with T3/T4/N+ rectal cancers who were treated with preoperative capecitabine and boost radiation therapy, Hee Chul Park, M.D., et al, found that 51 percent experienced tumor downstaging (TDS). The researchers determined the symptom burden through questionnaires filled out by enrollees at baseline and then weekly during treatment. They then compared the symptom scores as they related to TDS based on Student’s t tests.
The main symptoms of fatigue, pain and drowsiness increased progressively during treatment and the participants with TDS had lower fatigue scores at baseline and completion, stated Park et al.
“Lower levels of fatigue at baseline and completion of CRT were significant predictors of pathologic tumor response gauged by TDS, suggesting that symptom burden may be a surrogate for tumor burden,” concluded the researchers. “The relationship between symptom burden and circulating cytokines merits evaluation to characterize the molecular basis of this phenomenon.”
The article can be accessed at www.redjournal.org.
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