Quality of life after surgical therapy of bronchogenic carcinoma

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery 1996, Vol.10 (4), p.233-237
• Main Authors: Zieren, H U, Müller, J M, Hamberger, U, Pichlmaier, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic - surgery; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonectomy; Quality of Life; Self-Assessment; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1010-7940(96)80144-8

Quality of life (QL) after the "curative" resection of non-small cellbronchogenic carcinoma was assessed by patients using the EORTC QLquestionnaire (QLQ) and by a psychologist using the Spitzer Index. Qualityof life was assessed in 52 patients on one occasion 12 monthspostoperatively and in 20 patients regularly starting with a preoperativeassessment. Self- and external evaluation showed a significant correlation(r = 0.41), but QL was assessed as being higher by the external observer.After surgery it was mainly affected by restrictions related to physicalactivities, job and household tasks, and disease symptoms, whereaslimitations in emotional, social, and financial domains were found lessfrequently and less severely. Of the different medical (surgicalprocedures, tumor recurrence) and social factors (sex, marital andemployment status), only tumor recurrence was determined to have asignificant and negative influence on postoperative QL (P < 0.02). Whencompared to the preoperative assessment, QL had deteriorated on dischargefrom hospital but was restored within 3-6 months postoperatively indisease-free patients.