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Annals of Surgical Oncology 10:144-149 (2003)
© 2003 Society of Surgical Oncology

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Quality of Life in Patients With Colorectal Metastasis and Intrahepatic Chemotherapy

Sarah L. Blair, MD, Marcia Grant, RNDNSc, David Z. J. Chu, MD, Carey Cullinane, MD, Grace Dean, RN, TPDc, Roderich E. Schwarz, MD, PhD and Lawrence Wagman, MD

From the University of California at San Diego Department of Surgery, UCSD Cancer Center (SLB), La Jolla, California; and the Departments of Nursing Research (MG, GD) and General Oncologic Surgery (SLB, DZJC, CC, RES, LW), City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California.

Correspondence: Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Sarah Blair, MD, University of California at San Diego Department of Surgery, UCSD Cancer Center, 9500 Gilman Dr., #0987, La Jolla, CA 92093; Fax: 858-657-8708; E-mail: slblair{at}ucsd.edu

Background: Liver metastasis from colorectal cancer remains an oncological challenge. Hepatic chemotherapy has been used; however, rigorous quality of life (QOL) measurements are lacking. The aim of this study was to describe unique QOL issues to formulate a specific tool for this population.

Methods: A purposive sample was identified of patients treated with intrahepatic chemotherapy. Consenting patients completed a demographic tool and the City of Hope QOL Scale/Cancer Patient survey. An in-depth interview on QOL concerns was conducted, taped, and transcribed verbatim. The data from the interviews were coded to identify recurrent themes.

Results: Sixteen patients participated. Physical well-being was maintained. Significantly lower subscale scores were noted for psychological, social, and spiritual domains compared with nonpatient norms (City of Hope volunteers; n = 169). Patients found intrahepatic chemotherapy convenient but were unable to pursue vigorous activity, and their sleep habits changed. Psychologically, patients felt reassured to receive specific therapy to their liver.

Conclusions: Pilot evaluation of QOL in this population revealed changes in physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. Both disease- and treatment-specific concerns were identified, and the results provide evidence for items to include in a QOL questionnaire specific to this population.

Key Words: Liver metastasis • Regional chemotherapy • Quality of life • Colorectal cancer




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