Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39988768›Full record

ArticleActa oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)2025

Understanding quality of life in Danish women with metastatic breast cancer undergoing multiple treatments.

Helle Pappot, Annasofie Jørgensen, Anna Hincheli Bjørum, Christina Bøgh Jakobsen, Camilla Uhre Jørgensen, Beverley Lim Høeg, Pernille Bidstrup, Ann Knop, Line Bentsen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Exploring the lived experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer and their HRQoL questionnaire preferences: a qualitative study.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Helle PappotDepartment of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. helle.pappot@regionh.dk.
Annasofie JørgensenDepartment of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Anna Hincheli BjørumDepartment of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christina Bøgh JakobsenDepartment of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Camilla Uhre JørgensenDepartment of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Beverley Lim HøegPsychological Aspects of Cancer, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Pernille BidstrupPsychological Aspects of Cancer, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ann KnopDepartment of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Line BentsenDepartment of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWomen with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) may experience several symptoms exacerbated by successive treatments. There is however, a lack of knowledge of the most important symptoms and how these may affect daily life function. This study aims to elucidate the quality of life (QoL), including both symptoms and daily life functions, among mBC women undergoing varied treatments. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional electronic questionnaire study enrolling mBC women (≥ stage III) receiving medical cancer treatment through September-December 2023. QoL, symptoms, and daily life function were measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the breast cancer module (BR45). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), defined by the EORTC, covers the subjective perceptions of the positive and negative aspects of cancer patients' symptoms, including physical, emotional, social, and cognitive functions. We examined associations between QoL, treatment line and therapy types, and estimated odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs).

resultsOf 359 eligible participants, 111 responded (30.9%). At study commencement, 90.9% of the participants received at least one type of systemic treatment, with 16.2% undergoing chemotherapy, 61.3% anti-hormonal treatment, and 66.6% targeted cancer treatment. QLQ-C30 sum scores were highest in women receiving anti-hormonal treatment (80.7, interquartile range [IQR]: 17.6), followed by targeted cancer treatment (78.8, IQR: 18.4), and lowest with chemotherapy (77.1, IQR: 24.8). Quality of life decreased with subsequent treatment lines (first line: 80.3, IQR: 20.7, fourth line: 67.4, IQR: 11.3). No significant differences were found in the functions or in the individual symptoms according to monotherapy type.

interpretationWomen with mBC experience a substantial symptom burden and reduced functioning, and their QoL differs with successive lines of treatment. This underlines that women living with mBC need support and effective symptom management to maintain QoL.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsQuality of LifeActivities of Daily LivingAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesDenmarkFemaleHumansMiddle AgedNeoplasm MetastasisSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID39988768
PMCPMC11871412

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.