Evaluation of Quality of Life and Psychological Response in Recurrent and Metastatic Tumors Treated with Palliative Radiotherapy

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated the effects of palliative radiotherapy for cancer recurrence or metastasis on patient QOL and psychophysiology. Materials and Methods: Sixty seven patients who received palliative radiotherapy between 2014 and 2015 were enrolled. Patient diseases were bone metastasis in 51 patients, lymph node metastasis in 7 patients, brain metastasis in 2 patients, local recurrence in 3 patients, and others in 4 patients. Median irradiated dose was 30 Gy in 10 fractions for palliative radiotherapy. We used the questionnaires EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL to evaluate patient QOL and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to evaluate patient mental healthcare at the start and at the end of radiotherapy. Results: As compared to scores at the start of radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, NRS and face scale significantly decreased. On the other hand, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status did not show any changes during palliative radiotherapy. In functional scales, average scores of RF2 and EF also improved. In symptom scales, average scores of FA, PA, and SL improved. In bone metastasis group, global health status/QOL, PA, and SL significantly improved. There was relationship between anxiety improvement and QOL improvement after palliative radiotherapy. Nausea and vomiting scores of EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL were associated with the irradiated volume of palliative radiotherapy for pelvic region. Conclusion: Patient QOL of was improved by palliative radiotherapy regardless of PS. The possibility of palliative radiotherapy having a positive influence on patient psychophysiology was also suggested in younger age.