Role of quality of life in therapeutic strategies in brain tumors.
The results of the surgical management of brain tumors have improved considerably with the development of new technology. One of the current problems is the evaluation of results of surgical treatment of infiltrative brain tumors, for example, the low-grade astrocytoma. This paper centers on the evaluation of changes in quality of life based on in-depth qualitative, together with some quantitative, data on quality of life of 4 representative cases of cerebral astrocytoma. Results of clinical evaluation (Karnofsky scale, Glasgow Outcome Score) and semi-structured theme interview showed improvement of quality of life during the first post-treatment year in all cases. This was particularly noted in social aspects of quality of life, including the effect of reduced symptoms on social interaction. The patients' own evaluation of the quality of their lives was not influenced only by the illness and treatment, but also by general life circumstances, such as social relations and work. The study further provides some basic data that can be used to develop questionnaires for evaluation of results of the treatment of these patients.
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005387:Finland; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011788:Quality of Life; D012380:Role