[Conceptualization and measurement of the quality of life of cancer patients].
We have reviewed three attributes related with quality of life of cancer patients: definition, objectives and methods of measurement. The definition most widely accepted is that quality of life is the "subjective evaluation of life as good or satisfactory as a whole". It is proposed that quality of life should be included as an outcome variable in clinical trials, especially in palliative care; in addition it could be useful in clinical decisions and in planning care for cancer patients. Finally we have reviewed critically several scales that are being used for the measurement of quality of life of cancer patients.
Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, México.
M C
MC
Lara-Muñoz
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S
Ponce de León
J
J
Ramón de la Fuente
D002755:Choice Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Conceptualización y medición de la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer.