Time toxicity during palliative chemotherapy for advanced malignancies: a prospective study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Palliative Care
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Patients with advanced malignancies dedicate substantial time to healthcare, often overlooking 'time toxicity' in treatment decisions.
• Systemic therapy for advanced cancers involves significant patient time commitment.
• This study quantifies the time burden associated with palliative systemic therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To calculate and analyze the time toxicity associated with palliative systemic therapy in patients with advanced malignancies.
• To determine the components contributing to time toxicity.
• To explore the correlation between time toxicity and patient quality of life.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, single-centre study of adult patients with advanced malignancies receiving palliative intravenous systemic therapy.
• Time toxicity defined as time away from home for hospital visits.
• Time toxicity index calculated as time toxicity over a 2-month period divided by total follow-up duration.

Main Results:

• 92 patients recruited; median age 57 years; 42% female; 37% gastrointestinal cancers.
• Median survival time of 7.6 months.
• Mean time toxicity of 226 hours, with a time toxicity index of 17%. Major components: travel and hospital formalities.
• Time toxicity index correlated with quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Time toxicity is a crucial factor for patients undergoing palliative therapy.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the impact and patient perception of time toxicity.