Life expectancy, comorbidity, and quality of life. A framework of reference for medical decisions.
The treatment of cancer in the elderly can benefit from increasingly sophisticated methods that measure a patient's quality of life. These measures are both general and cancer specific and herald a new and enlightened approach to patient care. The care of the older patient must be seen in light of what is known about life expectancy, the outcome of treatment, an awareness of comorbidity, and the importance of informed consent and respect for the values and preferences of the individual patient. This article reviews the growing literature on quality of life research in cancer patients.
Bennahum
D A
DA
Division of Geriatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108, USA.
Forman
W B
WB
Vellas
B
B
Albarede
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008017:Life Expectancy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010358:Patient Participation; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome