Quality of life in patients with gynecologic cancer

Abstract

Benefits of cancer treatment must assess quality as well as quantity of survival. Recently, researchers have attempted to define and measure quality of life (QL). Reliable QL measures are useful for rating the QL costs of cancer itself, for rating existing cancer treatments and therapies under clinical investigation, and for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to improve or prevent deterioration in QL status. Collaborative decision making by patients with their oncologists about anticipated therapy is enhanced by consideration of QL risks. Measures have broadened from assessing only performance status to include the domains of physical status (activity level, cognition, sexuality, fertility, and symptoms of pain, nausea, vomiting), psychological status (sense of well-being, depression, anxiety), social interaction (with sexual partner, family, friends, and co-workers), and economic status. Studies applying these concepts to patients who are survivors, in curative treatment, in palliative treatment, and terminally ill will be discussed.

Survival benefit of taxane plus platinum in recurrent ovarian cancer with non-clear cell, non-mucinous histology

“…Thus, the concept of treatment free intervals per se may not be applicable for patients with this histology. On the other hand, according to previous reports, an earlier introduction of palliative care can lead to significant improvements in the QoL [25,26]. Therefore, in these patients, we also consider palliative care as an essential approach to cancer care that, along with symptom control, focuses on aspects of life important to patients and their families, in an attempt to protect against, and relieve suffering.…”

Is There Any Association between Where Patients Spend the End of Life and Survival after Anticancer Treatment for Gynecologic Malignancy?

“…8,9 According to a previous report, an earlier introduction of palliative care led to significant improvements in the quality of life (QOL). In the present study, using novel prognostic parameters: ICS and PCS, we revealed that patients in the hospice/home care group show a significantly more favorable prognosis after aggressive anticancer treatment than those in the university/general hospital group.…”

Assessment of factors that contribute to decreased quality of life in Gynecologic Oncology Group ovarian cancer trials

“…The study of QoL can help to clarify the impact of patient care measures, such as "patient education, pain management techniques, preventive measures for anticipatory nausea with chemotherapy, medications for symptom control, professional counselling about sexual function, family and marital relationships or adjustment to terminal illness" [30]. QoL measures can also provide useful information in issues involving nutritional support and improvements in palliative and home care [31,32].…”