Quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
A descriptive study for evaluating the variables which influence the quality of life was performed in women with gynecologic cancer undergoing various kinds of treatment.


METHODS
The study was based on a chart review of 104 women with gynecologic cancer and analyses of their compiled FACT-G (V4); (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General) questionnaires. Patients were assessed before and 3 months after treatment.The relationship of a number of biomedical variables with quality of life outcomes was tested.


RESULTS
The mean age of patients was 50.13 years. The most involved organ was ovary (42.3%).The mean of socio-familial, emotional, functional well-being and overall quality of life 3 months after the treatment were greater than previously. The mean of physical well-being after 3 months of treatment was lower than before that (p<0.05). There were no statistical difference between the mean of overall quality of life before treatment and that 3 months after treatment for variables such as marital status, qualification, job, parity, co-morbidity diseases, organ involved, and stage of cancer (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
More studies must utilize quality of life as a primary endpoint. As gynecologic cancers are usually discovered in late stages, strategies for supportive care need to focus on symptom management.
Tahmasebi
Mamak
M
Dept of Palliative Medicine, Cancer Institute, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran. mamaktahma@yahoo.com
Yarandi
Fariba
F
Eftekhar
Zahra
Z
Montazeri
Ali
A
Namazi
Hamidreza
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult