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Measuring the quality of life of patients with cancer

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Quality of Life Assessment: Key Issues in the 1990s

Abstract

The traditional goal of cure for localized cancer by surgery or radiotherapy is now supplemented by an intention to cure many patients who have widespread disease with drugs. However, the majority of patients with common cancers will not be cured by local or systemic therapy. For these patients the purpose of medical care is to prolong their lives and to maintain the quality of those lives. The quality of life may be impaired by the disease, but treatments may also have deleterious effects so that overall benefit from a treatment is often uncertain.

Based in part on assessing quality of life in cancer patients. British Journal of Cancer 1989;60:437–440 and Measurement of the quality of life — the particular problems of cancer patients. Proceedings of a Royal College of Physicians meeting, 1992, with permission.

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Authors
  1. Peter Selby
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Welsh School of Pharmacy, University of Wales College, Cardiff, UK

    Stuart R. Walker (Director of the Centre for Medicines Research, Carshalton, and Honorary Professor) (Director of the Centre for Medicines Research, Carshalton, and Honorary Professor)

  2. University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London University, London, UK

    Rachel M. Rosser (Professor of Psychiatry and Head of Department) (Professor of Psychiatry and Head of Department)

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Selby, P. (1993). Measuring the quality of life of patients with cancer. In: Walker, S.R., Rosser, R.M. (eds) Quality of Life Assessment: Key Issues in the 1990s. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2988-6_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2988-6_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

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