Functional and psychosocial quality of life in gynecologic Cancer survivors with and without lymphedema symptoms

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to compare function, quality of life, body image and distress levels between gynecologic cancer survivors with and without lymphedema symptoms as well as to determine how many individuals received rehabilitation treatment following treatment for gynecological malignancy.

Methods: This prospective longitudinal cohort study sought to examine long-term physical and psychosocial outcomes among gynecologic cancer survivors.

Results: Participants in the symptomatic group reported lower quality of life, lower function scores, and greater cancer-related, with greater rates of clinically significant levels of distress. These results remained largely consistent in multivariable models.

Conclusions: We found lower extremity lymphedema to be associated with lower quality of life, lower limb function, greater distress, and negative body image.

Keywords: Lymphedema; Quality of life; Survivorship.