Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients With Neuroendocrine Neoplasia

Numerous studies describe HRQoL in other cancer types, whereas only sparse research has been done in NEN patients. We wish to investigate HRQol in NEN patients. Using a validated generic tool with normative values derived from a background population, allows us to compare the values healthy controls.

Methods

Study A:

A cross-sectional study that investigates 250 patients (Cohort A) with neuroendocrine neoplasia, encompassing both patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC).

Study B:

A prospective study that investigates 30 newly diagnosed NET patients over three months (Cohort B) who are offered palliative treatment with somatostatin analogues.

The diagnosis of cancer and living with cancer has an impact on patients' HRQoL. Numerous studies describe HRQoL in other cancer types, whereas only sparse research has been done in NEN patients.

Previous studies concerning the effect of cancer on HRQoL have been useful and help clinicians regulate treatment regimens in other cancer types. In advanced cancer patients, it is shown that Global QoL, physical, role, and emotional functioning improves during HPN and it wasin patients who are candidates for HPN according to the European guidelines.

Moreover, patients with laryngeal cancer who are offered partial or total laryngectomy experience a significant and fast decline in HRQoL compared to those who are offered transoral laser microsurgery. This study has improved clinician and patient decision-making.

Previous studies investigating HRQoL in NEN patients have methodological limitations; no reference groups, limited number of patients or including a heterogenos group of patietns. This lack of methodological quality may explain the inconsistency in the HRQoL results found in previous NEN studies.To our knowledge, only a few cross-sectional studies of larger patient groups compared to a background population have been published.

Both HRQoL and fatigue are likely to be affected in NEN patients. Using a validated generic tool with normative values derived from a background population, allows us to compare the values healthy controls.

Aim

* To quantify HRQoL and fatigue in a cross-sectional study (Study A) of a large group of patients with NEN
* To investigate the immediate effect of diagnosis and somatostatin-analogue treatment on new patients. A prospective study over the course of three months (Study B)
* To investigate the change in HRQoL and fatigue during follow-up. (a three year follow-up will be performed beyond this research year)

Hypothesis

* HRQoL will be significantly lower and fatigue significantly higher in NEN patients compared to the general population
* HRQoL will be significantly lower and fatigue significantly higher in NEC patients compared to NET patients.
* Newly diagnosed patients with NET starting somatostatin analogue treatment will improve their HRQoL and reduce fatigue after a follow-up period of three months.
* In patients with neuroendocrine neoplasia, HRQoL will remain unchanged in patients with stable disease and derease in patients with disease progression.

Methods

Study A:

A cross-sectional study that investigates 250 patients (Cohort A) with neuroendocrine neoplasia, encompassing both patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC).

Study B:

A prospective study that investigates 30 newly diagnosed NET patients over three months (Cohort B) who are offered palliative treatment with somatostatin analogues.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria: all newly diagnosed NET and NEC patietns Exclusion Criteria:None

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