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Employment following chemoradiotherapy in glioblastoma: a prospective case series

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Abstract

Purpose

Radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) for glioblastoma (GBM) has resulted in longer survival. Uncertainties exist regarding quality of survival. This study aims to determine the rate of patients returning to previous employment (EM) following treatment.

Methods

Eligible patients were diagnosed with GBM, aged 18–70 years, and treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy to 60 Gray and TMZ (EORTC Protocol) between July 2007 and July 2011. EM was defined as paid work. Exclusion criteria included patients without histological confirmation of WHO grade IV glioblastoma, those not in paid employment in the 2-month period prior to diagnosis, or mothers of pre-school aged children not working. Data were collected on EM prior (EM pre) and after RT at 6 and 12 months (EM 6 m, EM 12 m). Rate of EM was analysed in regards to baseline performance status (ECOG), neurological deficits (MRC scale) and median survival.

Results

One hundred twelve patients were identified with median follow-up of 15.5 months and median survival 18 months (95%CI, 15–21 months). Seventy-one patients were working prior to diagnosis and eligible for analysis. Twenty patients returned to work (28 %) by EM 6 months and 19 patients (27 %) by EM 12 months. EM 6 months was strongly associated with ECOG and MRC status, with only 1 of 37 patients (3 %) with neurological deficit returning to work compared with 21 of 36 (58 %) intact patients. Of good performance status patients not returning to work, factors included presence of income insurance, family financial support or treatment-related symptoms.

Conclusion

A modest proportion of patients with GBM return back to work at 6 and 12 months following radiotherapy with the majority demonstrating the lowest level of neurological deficit prior to RT.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Return to work following treatment does occur but it is not a common outcome.

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Notes

  1. Source: “Statistics on Incidence, Survival Rates and Mortality Associated with Brain Tumours in Australia”, Information Paper for the Australian Brain Tumour Advocacy Group, Denise Chang, June 2003.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Cecelia Gzell, H. Wheeler, L. Guo, M. Kastelan & M. Back

  2. Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    H. Wheeler & M. Back

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Pacific Highway, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, 2065, Australia

    Cecelia Gzell

Authors
  1. Cecelia Gzell
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  2. H. Wheeler
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  4. M. Kastelan
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  5. M. Back
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Correspondence to Cecelia Gzell.

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Gzell, C., Wheeler, H., Guo, L. et al. Employment following chemoradiotherapy in glioblastoma: a prospective case series. J Cancer Surviv 8, 108–113 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-013-0311-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-013-0311-9

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