A prospective cohort study of early discontinuation of adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: the breast cancer quality of care study (BQUAL)
Recommended Citation
Neugut AI, Hillyer GC, Kushi LH, Lamerato L, Buono DL, Nathanson SD, Bovbjerg DH, Mandelblatt JS, Tsai WY, Jacobson JS, Hershman DL. A prospective cohort study of early discontinuation of adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: the breast cancer quality of care study (BQUAL). Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2016 Jul;158(1):127-138. doi: 10.1007/s10549-016-3855-3.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2016
Publication Title
Breast cancer research and treatment
Abstract
For many women with non-metastatic breast cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy prevents recurrence and extends survival. Women who discontinue chemotherapy early may reduce those benefits, but little is known about what predicts early discontinuation. We sought to determine prospectively the rate and reasons for early discontinuation of adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. We conducted a prospective cohort study among three U.S. health care organizations. Of 1158 women with newly diagnosed non-metastatic breast cancer, 2006-2010, we analyzed 445 (38.4 %) patients who initiated standard adjuvant chemotherapy as defined by accepted guidelines. We interviewed patients at baseline and twice during treatment regarding sociodemographic/psychosocial factors and treatment decision-making and collected clinical data. They were categorized according to the number of cycles required by the chemotherapy regimen they had initiated. The outcome was early discontinuation (<80 >% of planned cycles). Of patients analyzed, 392 (88.1 %) completed the prescribed therapy. The strongest predictor was receipt of a regimen entailing >4 cycles of therapy (18.1 % for longer regimens, 7.4 % for 4 cycles) (odds ratio [OR] 2.59, 95 % CI 1.32-5.08), controlling for race, age, stage, hormone receptor status, social support, optimism, spirituality, stress, and physical symptoms. Higher levels of psychological symptoms on the Memorial symptom assessment scale also increased the odds of early discontinuation (OR 1.92, 95 % CI 0.998-3.68). The large majority of patients who initiated adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer completed their prescribed regimens, but early discontinuation was associated with lengthier regimens and, with borderline statistical significance, for those with psychological side effects.
Medical Subject Headings
Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Breast Neoplasms; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Patient Compliance; Prospective Studies; Self Report; Treatment Outcome
PubMed ID
27287779
Volume
158
Issue
1
First Page
127
Last Page
138
