title: Patient's quality of life after high-dose radiation therapy for thoracic carcinomas : Changes over time and influence on clinical outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Quality of life (QoL) is an important factor in patient care. This analysis is focused on QoL before and after radio(chemo)therapy in patients with thoracic carcinomas, as well as on its influence on clinical follow-up and survival, and the correlation with treatment-related toxicities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis included 81 patients with intrathoracic carcinoma receiving radio(chemo)therapy. For analysis of QoL, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the lung cancer-specific supplement (EORTC QLQ-LC13) were used. QoL data were collected before radiation treatment (RT), and 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after RT. Other factors were additionally analyzed, including clinical outcome, survival, and side effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The functional scales showed maximum values or at least a recovery 12 weeks after RT. Symptoms with a high mean symptom score (> 40) at all appointments were fatigue, dyspnea, and coughing. Insomnia, peripheral neuropathy, appetite loss, dyspnea (from QLQ-LC13), and all pain parameters had an intermediate mean score (10-40). There were low mean scores of < 10 for nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, sore mouth, and hemoptysis. There was a significant correlation between clinical dysphagia and radiation pneumonitis with the associated symptom scales. None of the QoL scores had a significant influence on local and distant control or survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  12 weeks after RT the QLQ-C30 functional scales show the highest scores or at least a temporary recovery. The symptom scales accurately reflect the common symptoms and treatment-related toxicities. QoL did not prove to be a significant predictor for local and distant control or survival.
authors: Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Clinic Giessen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany. christina.schroeder@med.uni-giessen.de.|Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Ruppiner Kliniken GmbH, Neuruppin, Germany. christina.schroeder@med.uni-giessen.de.
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Schröder
authors: Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Clinic Giessen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Engenhart-Cabillic
authors: Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Clinic Giessen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors: Hilke
authors: H
authors: Vorwerk
authors: Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Ruppiner Kliniken GmbH, Neuruppin, Germany.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Schmidt
authors: Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Ruppiner Kliniken GmbH, Neuruppin, Germany.
authors: Winfried
authors: W
authors: Huhnt
authors: Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Ruppiner Kliniken GmbH, Neuruppin, Germany.
authors: Eyck
authors: E
authors: Blank
authors: Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Ruppiner Kliniken GmbH, Neuruppin, Germany.
authors: Dietrich
authors: D
authors: Sidow
authors: Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Ruppiner Kliniken GmbH, Neuruppin, Germany.
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Buchali
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D000069473:Radiation Dose Hypofractionation; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Deglutition disorders; Lung neoplasms; Radiation pneumonitis; Survival; Toxicity