Delayed Versus Immediate Start of Chemotherapy in Asymptomatic Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to increased use of imaging, advanced stages of cancer are increasingly being diagnosed in an early, asymptomatic phase. Traditionally, chemotherapy is started immediately in these patients. However, a strategy wherein chemotherapy is withheld until symptoms occur may be beneficial for patients in terms of quality of life (QOL). A systematic review regarding optimal timing of chemotherapy including survival and QOL is lacking.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane for studies investigating the timing of start of chemotherapy in asymptomatic patients with advanced cancer. Overall survival (OS) was abstracted as primary, QOL, and toxicity as secondary outcomes. A meta-analysis was performed on OS. QOL was described using the global heal

SUBMITTER: Augustinus S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10628561 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature