Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Advances in non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment is limited. Disease progression is seen in most patients after first line chemotherapy and many patients receive second line chemotherapy. A prospective study is planned to compare the life quality of NSCLC patients who received second line chemotherapy and those without second line chemotherapy.

METHODS

EORTC QLQ-C30 Version 3.0 (Turkish version) is used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients. The questionnaire is given to the patients at baseline and repeated two times with monthly intervals.

RESULTS

Twenty-four of the total 40 patients entered the study received second line chemotherapy and 16 patients received only supportive care. The general health status, overall function, overal symptom, physical function, role function, emotional function, social function, fatigue symptoms and pain symptoms scores were significantly better in patients who received second line chemotherapy. Cognitive function and dyspnea symptom scores were significantly better after second month in the patients who received second line chemotherapy. There were no statistical difference for nausea, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea symptom scores between groups during the first and second month. While insomnia and financial difficulty symptoms scores were significantly better at first month in patients who received second line chemotherapy; no difference is seen in second month.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our findings shows that second line chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients significantly improve the general quality of life when compared to only supportive care.