Quality of life after surgical therapy of bronchogenic carcinoma

Quality of life (QL) after the "curative" resection of non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma was assessed by patients using the EORTC QL questionnaire (QLQ) and by a psychologist using the Spitzer Index. Quality of life was assessed in 52 patients on one occasion 12 months postoperatively and in 20 patients regularly starting with a preoperative assessment. Self- and external evaluation showed a significant correlation (r = 0.41), but QL was assessed as being higher by the external observer. After surgery it was mainly affected by restrictions related to physical activities, job and household tasks, and disease symptoms, whereas limitations in emotional, social, and financial domains were found less frequently and less severely. Of the different medical (surgical procedures, tumor recurrence) and social factors (sex, marital and employment status), only tumor recurrence was determined to have a significant and negative influence on postoperative QL (P < 0.02). When compared to the preoperative assessment, QL had deteriorated on discharge from hospital but was restored within 3-6 months postoperatively in disease-free patients.