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01-11-2016 | Original Article

Symptoms and quality of life in patients with brain metastases receiving whole-brain radiation therapy

Authors: Erin Wong, Liying Zhang, Leigha Rowbottom, Nicholas Chiu, Leonard Chiu, Rachel McDonald, May Tsao, Elizabeth Barnes, Cyril Danjoux, Edward Chow

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 11/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Patients with multiple brain metastases may be treated with whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). For these patients, symptom palliation and improvement of quality of life (QOL) and performance status is of the upmost importance. The objective of the present study was to determine the symptom experience and overall QOL in patients with brain metastases before and after WBRT.

Methods

A total of 14 symptom scores and overall QOL were collected prospectively in 217 patients for up to 3 months. Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied to determine significant symptoms and QOL changes. Spearman’s correlations were applied to determine the relationship between symptom scores and QOL.

Results

Appetite loss, weakness, and nausea significantly increased from baseline, while balance, headache, and anxiety significantly decreased from baseline. At baseline, all symptoms other than coordination were significantly correlated with QOL. At 1-month follow-up (FU), changes in concentration, weakness, coordination, and balance were significantly associated with QOL changes. At 2-month FU, changes in pain, insomnia, concentration, balance, and depression were significantly associated with QOL changes. At 3-month FU, only change in nausea was significantly associated with QOL changes.

Conclusions

Following WBRT, certain symptoms may influence overall QOL to a greater extent than others, which may fluctuate with time.

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Title: Symptoms and quality of life in patients with brain metastases receiving whole-brain radiation therapy
Authors: Erin Wong
Liying Zhang
Leigha Rowbottom
Nicholas Chiu
Leonard Chiu
Rachel McDonald
May Tsao
Elizabeth Barnes
Cyril Danjoux
Edward Chow
Publication date: 01-11-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 11/2016
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3326-8

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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