title: [Quality of life of cancer patients under chemo- and radiotherapy. Prospective study of patients with gastrointestinal and bronchial cancers].
abstract: In a prospective study, 156 patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal carcinomas, receiving palliative chemotherapy or radiotherapy, were examined for changes in their quality of life during therapy. A questionnaire (68 questions), a linear analogue scale, and the Karnofsky performance scale were used three times in the course of therapy. The most important result seen during the evaluation of the questionnaire was the improvement in the psychical state in patients with tumor remission, even with increasing side-effects. In patients with progressive disease, a deteriorated psychosocial state and an increased burden due to the toxic side effects were observed. These results were also confirmed in progressive patients by the linear analogue scale. The Karnofsky performance scale showed a high correlation for the judgement of disease-related contents and the activity of the patient. In this study the relationship of treatment results and well-being is shown. It would seem important to include methods for the measurement of quality of life for the evaluation of oncological therapies.
mesh_terms: D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life
vernacular_title: Lebensqualität von Karzinom-Patienten unter Chemo- und Radiotherapie. Prospektive Studie bei Gastrointestinal- und Bronchialkarzinom-Patienten.