title: Quality of life in newly diagnosed cancer patients waiting for surgery is seriously impaired.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Newly diagnosed cancer patients waiting for initial surgery experience a stressful time. Study objectives were (1) to examine the quality of life (QL) of these patients by comparing QL (a) between the four diagnostic groups included in this study, (b) to the QL of the general population, (2) to determine the factors that contribute most to patients' overall QL.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ninety six patients with lung, periampullary, oesophageal and cervical cancer completed questionnaires on generic QL (SF-36), overall QL, cancer-site specific symptoms (EORTC-modules), anxiety (STAI), health expectations, demographics and comorbidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between diagnostic groups no significant differences were found on generic QL. As compared to the general population, generic QL was impaired on all aspects except bodily pain. Using stepwise regression analysis, 46% of the variance in overall QL was explained with the SF-36 scales vitality (Beta = 0.43) and mental health (Beta = 0.23) being the most important predictors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The QL of these patients is seriously impaired. In this stage, not cancer-site specific aspects but fatigue and emotions colour their lives. It is recommended to keep the waiting period brief. In addition, suggestions are offered by which physicians might help their patients in alleviating the distress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mechteld R M
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: J Jan B
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van Lanschot
authors.forename: Jacobus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Velden
authors.forename: Jaap J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kloek
authors.forename: Dirk J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gouma
authors.forename: Mirjam A G
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sprangers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014850:Waiting Lists