title: Assessment of quality of life in patients with advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma treated with a combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, palliative chemotherapy therefore being the only treatment option. This study was aimed at evaluating the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of advanced-stage NSCLC patients receiving palliative chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a multiple case study of advanced-stage NSCLC outpatients receiving chemotherapy at a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire was used in conjunction with its supplemental lung cancer-specific module in order to assess HRQoL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical and cognitive functioning scale scores differed significantly among chemotherapy cycles, indicating improved and worsened HRQoL, respectively. The differences regarding the scores for pain, loss of appetite, chest pain, and arm/shoulder pain indicated improved HRQoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chemotherapy was found to improve certain aspects of HRQoL in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Multiprofessional Residence Program in Oncology, José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Uanne Resende
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Avelino
authors.affiliation: José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chemotherapy Center, Cancer Hospital I, José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Marques
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.affiliation: José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Department of Clinical Epidemiology, José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Suzana Sales de
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Aguiar
authors.affiliation: José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mário Jorge Sobreira da
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel
keywords: Carboplatin; Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; Paclitaxel; Palliative care; Quality of life