Quality of life after treatment for testicular cancer--the patient's view.

Abstract

Twenty-eight patients cured of testicular cancer by cisplatin-based chemotherapy were asked for their own views of the long-term psychological and social effects of their treatment. Their views were compared with a group of 34 testicular cancer patients cured by radiotherapy who were matched for age, social class and time since treatment. A category rating type questionnaire was used with questions concerning general health, subjective side-effects of treatment, employment, relationships, reproduction and mood. The principal differences were (1) the chemotherapy group reported a greater prevalence of physical side-effects, (2) the radiotherapy group reported greater anxiety and depression since treatment and (3) a significant number of patients in the chemotherapy group felt that their illness had had beneficial effects on their relationships with family and friends.

• Authors: N S Stuart, R Grundy, C M Woodroffe, M H Cullen
• Journal: European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) (Eur J Cancer) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 291-4 (Mar 1990) ISSN: 0959-8049 [Print] England
• PMID: 2141485 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Attitude to Health
• Dysgerminoma (drug therapy, psychology, radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patients (psychology)
• Quality of Life
• Teratoma (drug therapy, psychology, radiotherapy)
• Testicular Neoplasms (drug therapy, psychology, radiotherapy)