Vojnosanitetski pregled 2017 Volume 74, Issue 7, Pages: 625-632
https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP160125117S
Full text ( 287 KB)
Cited by
Quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Šarac Sanja (Military Medical Academy, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade + University of Defence, Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade)
Milić Rade (Military Medical Academy, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade + University of Defence, Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade)
Vasiljević Mira (Military Medical Academy, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade)
Šarac Momir (University of Defence, Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade + Military Medical Academy, Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Belgrade)
Background/Aim. As lung cancer is considered the greatest contributor to
death among all cancer types any help might be valuable in the assessment of
treatment effects. The aim of this study was for assess the quality of life
(QoL) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with
gemcitabine- cisplatin regimen as the first line of chemotherapy. Methods.
The QoL was assessed using certified Serbian translations of the European
Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality Life Questionnaire
Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Lung Cancer Module (QLQ-LC13) - version 3. The
questionnaire was used before starting treatment and after the completion of
the 2nd and the 4th cycle of chemotherapy. The questionnaire scales and
single items were compared in order to assess the impact of treatment on the
QoL. Results. A total of 60 patients started and 51 completed all
questionnaires. There were no changes in the global health status score
between the baseline, the 2nd and the 4th cycle of chemotherapy (42.78 ±
15.76, 45.56 ± 17.59, 48.20 ± 19.24, respectively; p = 0.1). Social function
score, symptom scores: nausea and vomiting, pain, appetite loss,
constipation, diarrhea and financial difficulties score differed
significantly among chemotherapy cycles, indicating improved or worsened the
QoL. In the lung cancer symptom score a significant difference between
measurements was observed in cough, alopecia, chest pain and in using
analgesics. Conclusion. Monitoring of changes in the QoL among patients with
locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC showed that chemotherapy did not
decrease the global health status but led to significant changes in the
social and financial functioning of patients. Some symptoms associated with
the disease reduced in the intensity but some new occurred as a result of
chemotherapy. Using questionnaires to assess the QoL helped in easier
identification of adverse effects and specific problems for adequate
treatment.
Keywords: quality of life, carcinoma, non-small-cell lung, antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols, surveys and questionnaires