Quality-of-Life Assessment in Oncology

Abstract

In this article important areas of health-related quality of life (H RQL) research and major achievements are described, illustrated by studies conducted with cancer patients. Some of the challenges facing this line of research are elucidated. The areas of HR QL research described are distinguished according to their intended objective, including research aimed to assess treatment outcome and/or to qualify rates of survival, to assess late problems, to predict mortality, and to support information-giving. It was found that HR QL assessments are useful in clinical trials and cost-effectiveness studies and that they point to areas where former cancer patients may experience serious problems. It was also found that H RQL data are strong predictors of survival. Finally, HR QL assessments were found to stimulate doctor-patient communication. Three challenges are discussed, including the use of proxy respondents, the need to take response shift into account, and the interpretation of HR QL results as clinically meaningful. New research areas, such as HR QL related to genetic testing and as experienced by ethnic minorities urgently need to be taken on.