Abstract
BackgroundHeath-related quality of life (HRQoL) among survivors with unresectable locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy still is not clear. The current study were performed to determine HRQoL for long-term survivors with unresectable LA-NSCLC and to identify risk factors for poor HRQoL.MethodsAmong patients with LA-NSCLC receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy between January 2006 and December 2010, 82 long-term survivors beyond 5 years were identified in this cross-sectional study. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)-C30 and the lung cancer-specific questionnaire QLQ-LC13 were employed to gather information on HRQoL. HRQoL scores were compared between different subgroups to analyze factors related to HRQoL.ResultsFifty-five out of 82 (67%) long-term survivors completed the HRQoL survey. They reported a mild reduction in global health status and physical and emotional functioning. Fatigue, dyspnea, coughing, and financial difficulties ranked the highest scores in the symptom scales. Analysis of risk factors for HRQoL showed age, exercise, smoking status, and treatment regimen were associated with global health status and functional scores, while age, gender, radiation pneumonitis, weight loss, and exercise were associated with symptom scores.ConclusionsThis study provides the first description of the HRQoL of long-term LA-NSCLC survivors receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy who may experience a relatively high HRQoL. Factors related to poorer HRQoL are potential targets for intervention.
Highlights
Heath-related quality of life (HRQoL) among survivors with unresectable locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)) treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy still is not clear
Of the 82 patients who were still living at 5 years or more after diagnosis, 55 patients completed the Chinese versions of the EORTC QLQC30 questionnaires and the Quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-LC13 module
Those who completed the survey (Survey Completed Group, Survey completed group (SCG)) included more patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and higher objective response rates than those who did not complete the survey (p < 0.05), but they did not differ with regard to other factors
Summary
Heath-related quality of life (HRQoL) among survivors with unresectable locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy still is not clear. Long-term lung cancer survivors experienced quality of life (QoL) impairment in 35% of cases and reported declined QoL and a worsened symptom load [1]. A cross-sectional study of QoL showed that a distressed mood was the most important predictor of the QoL of long-term NSCLC survivors [2]. Most patients in both studies were stageIand treated with surgery. This study aimed to determine the HRQoL of long-term LA-NSCLC survivors receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy and to
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