Quality of life and survival prediction in terminal cancer patients

Abstract

Health care professionals should focus on physical HRQoL indicators, such as nausea and emesis, dyspnea, and weakness, to gather prognostic clues in patients with terminal cancer. These symptoms may reflect consequences of cancer cachexia and the progress of patients toward this terminal syndrome. Psychosocial distress did not appear to be associated consistently with survival; however, future studies should clarify further the prognostic significance of "positive attitudes", such as hope and optimism, in patients with advanced cancer.