The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30 version 3.0 Turkish) in cancer patients receiving palliative radiotherapy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of palliative radiotherapy in patients with advanced cancer in terms of improvement in the quality of life [quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)], and to assess the correlation between the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 (Turkish version 3.0). A total of 88 patients with advanced malignant disease treated with palliative radiotherapy were included in the study. All patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire before and after treatment, and the patient performance status during the pre-treatment and post-treatment phase (ECOG <or= 2, >2) was correlated to the EORTC QLQ C-30 with subscales. Most patients (87.5%) had metastatic disease, and the remaining (12.5%) had locally advanced disease. Comparing the patients in terms of performance status, those with a better performance status (<or=2) reported a statistically significant higher level on the functioning scales and lower levels on all the symptom scales on both the pre-treatment and post-treatment assessments. Cronbach's alphas were calculated to estimate the internal consistency and reliability for both pre- and post-treatment functioning and symptom scales. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the impact of comprehensive palliative radiotherapy, and to its assessment.