Improved quality of life with megestrol acetate in patients with endocrine-insensitive advanced cancer: A randomised placebo-controlled trial
Beller, E. ; Tattersall, M. ; Lumley, T. ; Levi, J. ; Dalley, D. ; Olver, I. ; Page, J. ; Abdi, E. ; Wynne, C. ; Friedlander, M. ; Boadle, D. ; Wheeler, H. ; Margrie, S. ; Simes, R. J.
Springer
Published 1997
Springer
Published 1997
| ISSN: |
1569-8041
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|---|---|
| Keywords: |
cachexia ; megestrol acetate ; quality of life
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| Source: |
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
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| Topics: |
Medicine
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| Notes: |
Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effect of two doses of megestrol acetate(MA) compared with placebo on quality of life (QoL) and nutritional status(NS) in patients with advanced endocrine-insensitive cancer. Patients and methods: Two hundred forty patients were randomised todouble-blind MA 480 mg/day, MA 160 mg/day, or matching placebo for 12 weeks.Nutritional status (including weight, skinfold thickness and midarmcircumference) and QoL (using 6 linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) scales)were assessed at randomisation and after four, eight and 12 weeks. A QoLranking incorporating QoL and death was also used ranging from 1 = dead to 5= much better QoL. Results: One hundred seventy-four patients were assessable at weekfour, 136 at week eight and 103 patients at week 12. Patients receiving MAreported substantially better appetite (P = 0.001), mood (P =0.001) and overall quality of life ( P 〈 0.001), and possibly lessnausea and vomiting (P = 0.08) than patients receiving placebo, basedon a test for trend. A larger benefit was seen with the higher dose which(unlike the lower dose) was significantly better in pairwise comparisons withplacebo for appetite, mood and overall QoL (each P≤ 0.001). Despitesome missing data on QoL scores, QoL ranking was available on 227 (95%)of patients with significantly higher QoL ranking associated with MA (P= 0.002). Improvements in QoL occurred early within four weeks and weresustained. No statistically significant differences were observed in NSmeasurements, including weight (P = 0.29). Side effects of therapy wereminor and did not differ significantly across treatments. Conclusion: Megestrol acetate given at 480 mg/day is usefulpalliation in patients with endocrine-insensitive advanced cancer. It improvesappetite, mood and overall quality of life in these patients, although notthrough a direct effect on nutritional status.
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| Type of Medium: |
Electronic Resource
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| URL: |