Premium
Acute Effects on Neuropsychological Function and Quality of Life by High‐Dose Multiple Daily Fractionated Radiotherapy for Malignant Astrocytomas: Assessing the Tolerability of a New Radiotherapy Regimen
Author(s) -
Jason Gregor W.,
Pajurkova Eva M.,
Taenzer Paul A.,
Bultz Barry D.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1611(199706)6:2<151::aid-pon244>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - radiation therapy , anxiety , neuropsychology , tolerability , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , adverse effect , cognition , mood , regimen , oncology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , nursing
Cognitive and other quality of life measures were assessed in 29 patients with supratentorial malignant astrocytomas before and after high‐dose (8000 cGy) multiple daily fractionated radiotherapy. Assessments were done immediately before and after radiotherapy. Patients completed a neuropsychological evaluation and the Functional Living Index: Cancer (FLIC). Spouses completed the Family Environment Scale and the Profile of Mood States. Cognitive abilities generally improved over the course of radiotherapy. Occasionally, deterioration of potential clinical importance was observed on functions associated with the tumour site. Quality of life as assessed by the FLIC was stable in most cases and improved in five, but deteriorated in three patients. Families showed slightly less Conflict and slightly more Cohesion than the norm; this was especially so when patients had greater cognitive deficit. Emotional state of spouses was variable, with increased fatigue or reduced activity most commonly reported, followed by depression and anxiety. Mostly this improved with time or remained stable, but two spouses reported worsening emotional state. Results are generally encouraging for tolerance of this radiotherapy protocol, although they demonstrate that limited adverse effects may occur in some cases. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.