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Health-related QOL helped predict survival in 11 cancer types
Self-reported health-related quality of life helped predict survival in patients with 11 types of cancer, offering “prognostic information that was additive over and above clinical and sociodemographic value,” according to study results.
Researchers evaluated data from 30 EORTC randomized, controlled trials conducted between 1986 and 2004. The trials included patients with 11 types of cancer.
Overall, 7,417 patients completed an EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire before they were randomly assigned to study arms. The questionnaire measured five components of functioning (physical, emotional, cognitive, social and role), three symptom scales (pain, fatigue and nausea) and a global health status scale.
Researchers evaluated the prognostic value of health-related quality of life using Cox proportional hazards modeling adjusted for clinical and sociodemographic characteristics — age, sex and WHO performance status — and stratified by distant metastasis.
Results showed at least one health-related quality-of-life domain offered prognostic information for each cancer type (see Table).
“Assessing health-related quality of life with these measures allows investigators to have a more comprehensive understanding of a cancer patient’s burden with regard to the disease and the treatment envisaged,” researchers wrote.
Table 1. Health-related quality-of-life domains offered prognostic value in specific cancer types.
|
Brain cancer |
Cognitive functioning |
|
Breast cancer |
Physical and emotional functioning, global health status and nausea and vomiting |
|
Colorectal cancer |
Physical functioning, nausea and vomiting, pain and appetite loss |
|
Esophageal cancer |
Physical and social functioning |
|
Head and neck cancers |
Emotional functioning, nausea and vomiting and dyspnea |
|
Lung cancer |
Physical functioning and pain |
|
Melanoma |
Physical functioning |
|
Ovarian cancer |
Nausea and vomiting |
|
Pancreatic cancer |
Global health status |
|
Prostate cancer |
Role functioning and appetite loss |
|
Testis cancer |
Role functioning |
Disclosure: Researchers report compensation, travel reimbursement and grants from, as well as consultant roles with, Devon Foundation, Hoffman La Roche, IGEA Clinical Biophysics and Jacobusstichting.