Comparison of psychological distress and quality of life in patients with advanced liver cancer before and after transformation therapy

Abstract

To analyze the changes in psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced liver cancer after transformation therapy. This study was conducted among 60 patients with advanced liver cancer undergoing transformation therapy from July, 2019 to March, 2022. Before and after 2-10 cycles of treatment, the patients were assessed for psychological distress and quality of life using a psychological stress thermometer and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep). The patients showed significantly lowered scores for psychological distress after transformation therapy (P < 0.01) with decreased psychological stress, emotional factors, tension, worry, sleep problems, memory decline and inattention, physical factors, pain, fatigue, eating problems and dyspepsia (P < 0.05). The total score of quality of life and the scores for physical status, social and family status, emotional status, functional status and hepatobiliary-specific items were all significantly lowered after the treatment (P < 0.05). In patients with advanced liver cancer, the psychological distress involves mainly the emotional factors and physical factors. Transformation therapy can significantly relieve psychological distress of the patients and improve their quality of life.