Patient-reported outcomes in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Ovarian cancer treatments may negatively impact the physical and functional quality of life domains of patients. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) assess the health conditions of patients without interpretation by a clinician of the patient’s response. A broad spectrum of validated questionnaires investigating HR-QoL exist. However, none are considered as a gold standard of PRO measures. In clinical trials, PROs are a means of evaluating treatment benefit or risk in a way that complements the typical primary outcome of survival, and are necessary endpoints to support regulatory approval. In clinical practice, PROs are useful in monitoring the ability of patients to tolerate treatment and in identifying patients more at risk for subsequent health problems who would benefit from supportive care during and after treatment.