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Updated: Jul 30, 2025
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Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
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Pre-treatment Emotional Distress in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy for Gynecologic Cancers.
Dirk Rades1, Ahmed Al-Salool1, Nathan Y Yu2
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Cancer Diagnosis & Prognosis
|May 11, 2023
Summary
Emotional distress is common in gynecologic cancer patients before radiotherapy. Identifying patients with risk factors like multiple physical problems or no prior surgery can guide early psycho-oncological support.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychosocial Oncology
- Radiotherapy
Background:
- Patients with gynecologic cancers undergoing radiotherapy often experience emotional distress.
- Early identification of at-risk individuals is crucial for timely psycho-oncological intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors associated with emotional distress in gynecologic cancer patients prior to radiotherapy.
- To inform the development of targeted psycho-oncological support strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 122 gynecologic cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
- Investigated 10 potential risk factors including comorbidities, demographics, and treatment details.
- Statistical analysis using p-values <0.005 for significance and <0.06 for trends.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of emotional distress symptoms including worry (41%), fear (57%), and sadness (39%).
- Significant associations found between distress and ≥5 physical problems, and absence of upfront surgery.
- Trends indicated distress associated with chemoradiotherapy, prior tumor history, worse performance status, and younger age.
Conclusions:
- Pre-radiotherapy emotional distress is prevalent in gynecologic cancer patients.
- Specific risk factors highlight patient groups who would benefit from immediate psycho-oncological assistance.
- Proactive psychosocial support can improve patient care during cancer treatment.
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