Quality of life assessment of patients with metastatic lung cancer receiving plantinium-based chemotheraphy

ABSTRACTAIM: The aims of the study were to investigate, possible changes in quality of life (QOL) duringchemotherapy, which factors might affect QOL and the relationship between QOL andperformance status.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the oncology clinics of Dr. LutfiKirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Patients diagnosed with advancedsmall-cell lung cancer or stage IV non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled in thestudy. They were given platinum-based chemotherapy. The QOL EORTC core questionnaireQLQ–C30 (version 3.0) and the lung cancer module QLQ-LC13 were conducted on four separateoccasions. Data related to the patients’ clincal and performance status (KarnofskyPerformance Status Scale (KPS) and ECOG) were recorded throughout the study.RESULTS: With treatment, significant increases in chemotherapy related side-effects and insymptom scales related both to adverse drug reactions and disease progression were recorded.A strong, significant, negative correlation (r = -0.71, p< 0.05) between ECOG performanceand all domains of EORTC QLQ-C30 was observed, similar to that between KPS andEORTC QLQ-C30 (r = -0.74, p< 0.05).CONCLUSION: This research indicates a lack of benefit in terms of QOL from platinumbasedchemotherapy in patients with metastatic lung cancer. Routine QOL assessment inthis patient population may encourage the development of treatment programs which minimizechemotherapy side-effects, while maximizing patients’ well being.KEYWORDS: Small-Cell-Lung-Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell-Lung-Carcinoma, Quality of Life,Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, Chemotherapy