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. 2017 Aug;14(2):1841-1846.
doi: 10.3892/ol.2017.6310. Epub 2017 Jun 6.

Analysis of health-related quality of life in patients with brain tumors prior and subsequent to radiotherapy

Claudia Bitterlich  1 , Dirk Vordermark  1
Affiliations

Analysis of health-related quality of life in patients with brain tumors prior and subsequent to radiotherapy

Claudia Bitterlich et al. Oncol Lett. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was evaluated for a patient cohort with benign or malignant brain tumors prior and subsequent to radiotherapy. The following inclusion criteria were applied: Sufficient compliance, understanding of patient information and the existence of a brain tumor without previous radiotherapy. Patients were asked to complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20 questionnaires at the following times: Prior to (t0) and subsequent to (t1) radiotherapy, and at 3 (t2), 6 (t3) and 12 (t4) months following treatment. In addition, at t1 the side effects were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Generally, the global QOL, a standard term describing general QOL, improved slightly (t0=49; t4=65). At t1, a significant increase in fatigue, loss of appetite and alopecia was reported. During follow-up, the symptoms experienced by the patients decreased, and the global QOL remained constant. The objectively recorded side effects of the therapy were comparable with the patient-reported outcomes.

Keywords: brain tumor; glioblastoma; meningioma; quality of life.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Global quality of life for all patients (n=30) at all time points: t0 (prior to radiotherapy), t1 (subsequent to radiotherapy), t2 (after 3 months), t3 (after 6 months) and t4 (after 12 months), as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire, in which a higher score equated to an improved global quality of life.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Comparison of global quality of life at all time points in the GBM (palliative therapy) and meningioma (curative therapy) groups, as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire, in which a higher score equated to an improved global quality of life. GBM, glioblastoma multiforme.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Symptom scales of all patients (n=30) at all time points: t0 (prior to radiotherapy), t1 (subsequent radiotherapy), t2 (after 3 months), t3 (after 6 months) and t4 (after 12 months), as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire. A higher score indicated a worse quality of life. *P<0.01.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Objective adverse side effects experienced by patients (n=30) at t1 (subsequent to radiotherapy), according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events: Grade 0, no adverse side effect; grade 1, mild; grade 2, moderate; grade 3, severe; grade 4, life-threatening or disabling adverse side effect.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Symptom scales of alopecia in the meningioma and GBM groups at all times: t0 (prior to radiotherapy), t1 (subsequent to radiotherapy), t2 (after 3 months), t3 (after 6 months) and t4 (after 12 months), as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer BN20 questionnaire. A higher score indicated a worse quality of life. *P<0.01. GBM, glioblastoma multiforme.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Symptom scales of financial difficulties in all groups and at all times: t0 (prior to radiotherapy), t1 (subsequent to radiotherapy), t2 (after 3 months), t3 (after 6 months) and t4 (after 12 months), as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire. A higher score indicated a worse quality of life; *P<0.01.
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