Patients with Testicular Germ Cell Tumors (TGCT) may suffer from several late effects due to their diagnosis or treatment. Follow-up care aims to identify the recurrence of cancer and support patients with TGCT in their experienced late effects. In the Netherlands, the validated Dutch version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, Utrecht Symptom Diary (USD) is used to assess and monitor patient reported symptoms. As a first step to develop a specific USD module for TGCT-patients, it was necessary to identify the prevalence and intensity of late effects in patients with TGCT, covering the physical, social, psychical and existential domains of care.
A cross-sectional study was conducted. First, literature was systematically assessed to create a comprehensive list of symptoms. This generated list was reviewed by expert healthcare professionals and the research group. Lastly, a survey was distributed amongst patients with TGCT in follow-up care in the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) outpatient clinic.
In total, 65 TGCT-patients completed the survey. All described late effects were recognized by TGCT-patients, with 'fatigue', 'disturbed overall well-being', 'concentration problems' and 'neuropathy', indicated as most prevalent and scored with highest intensity. When prioritizing these late effects, patients assigned 'neuropathy' as most important.
This study provided insight into prevalence and intensity of late effects, as indicated by TGCT-patients. In clinical practice, follow-up care can improve by empowering patients to discuss important items in daily life with their health-care professionals.
European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society. 2023 Feb 28 [Epub ahead of print]
Roos Enzlin, Sigrid C J M Vervoort, Britt B M Suelmann, Richard P Meijer, Saskia C C M Teunissen, Danielle Zweers
Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066CX, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; University Medical Center Utrecht, Department Medical Oncology, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: ., University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Nursing Science, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Heidelberglaan 100 3584CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: ., University Medical Center Utrecht, Department Medical Oncology, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: ., University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Oncological Urology, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: ., University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Primary Care, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: ., University Medical Center Utrecht, Department Medical Oncology, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: .