[Prolonging of life with cytostatic agents: is it worthwhile? A questionnaire survey of relatives]

In 1985 and 1987 we asked by a questionnaire the families how chemotherapy was experienced by patients who had died from cancer in the period 1980-1986 and by themselves. The questionnaire was sent to the families of 201 patients. 150 were returned, of which 137 could be used. Alopecia, worrying, fatigue and nausea are the most serious complaints for the patient. Crying and despair of the patient weighed most heavily on the family. Although 69% of the patients experienced chemotherapy as a heavy, a very heavy or an extremely intolerable burden, also 69% of the patients experienced the prolonging of life by chemotherapy as much, very much or exceedingly worthwhile. The families' judgments about the complaints are in agreement with those of patients in another research. The results are useful for giving information to patients who will undergo chemotherapy.