Assessment of palliative chemotherapy: a step beyond response.
In summary, tumour response is a useful index of cytotoxic activity, but is of limited value in the assessment of benefit to the patient following treatment with cytotoxic drugs. Survival is a similarly inappropriate endpoint to assess the clinical benefits of palliative cytotoxic therapy. The widespread introduction of QL assessment as a primary outcome measure in cancer therapy will enhance our understanding of the value of a wide range of established cancer treatments, not only that of palliative chemotherapy, but also surgery and radiotherapy.
Dodwell
D J
DJ
Yorkshire Regional Centre for Cancer Treatment, Cookridge Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Rathmell
A J
AJ
Ash
D V
DV
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents