Patient-Reported Chemotherapy-Related Toxicities in Patients with Solid Malignancies: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in the management of solid malignancies but is frequently associated with treatment-related toxicities that adversely affect patients' quality of life and treatment adherence. Patient-reported outcomes provide a more comprehensive assessment of symptom burden than clinician-reported evaluations and facilitate timely identification of adverse events.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency, severity, and overall burden of patient-reported chemotherapy-related toxicities among patients with solid malignancies receiving systemic chemotherapy.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Radiation Oncology at SMS Medical College, Jaipur. Fifty adult patients with histologically confirmed solid malignancies receiving chemotherapy were enrolled. Patient-reported toxicities were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 5.0. Demographic characteristics, clinical variables, chemotherapy intent, and toxicity profiles were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while associations between cancer type and common toxicities were evaluated using the Chi-square test.

Results: The majority of participants were aged 40–60 years (66.0%), and 54.0% were male. Breast cancer (32.0%) was the most common malignancy, followed by colorectal (28.0%), stomach (26.0%), and head and neck cancers (14.0%). Fatigue (88.0%) was the most frequently reported toxicity, followed by loss of appetite (78.0%), nausea (54.0%), and diarrhea (50.0%). Grade 1–2 toxicities predominated, while Grade 3 toxicities occurred in 30.0% of patients. Significant associations were observed between cancer type and the occurrence of diarrhea (p=0.014), mucositis (p=0.009), and vomiting (p=0.043).

Conclusion: Patient-reported outcomes revealed a substantial burden of chemotherapy-related toxicities, with fatigue and appetite loss being the most prevalent symptoms. Routine incorporation of patient-reported toxicity monitoring may facilitate earlier symptom recognition, improve supportive care, and optimize treatment outcomes in patients with solid malignancies.