title: [Quality of life and chemotherapy in terminal stage of gastrointestinal cancers].
abstract: A patient in the terminal stage of gastrointestinal cancer is continuously worried by physical and psychological suffering, and asks for treatment to alleviate pain. We have conducted an assessment of the quality of life (QOL) in the terminal stage of cancer, and found a deterioration in active factor and total score of QOL 3 months before death. We have provided active chemotherapy in the terminal stage with the informed consent of the patient. The therapy has aimed at relieving suffering, prolonging survival and maintaining QOL.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Castroenterology, Toyosu Hospital, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsukawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shoukei
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Satou
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*