Analysis of health-related quality of life in patients with brain tumors prior and subsequent to radiotherapy.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was evaluated for a patient cohort with benign or malignant brain tumors prior and subsequent to radiotherapy. The following inclusion criteria were applied: Sufficient compliance, understanding of patient information and the existence of a brain tumor without previous radiotherapy. Patients were asked to complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20 questionnaires at the following times: Prior to (t0) and subsequent to (t1) radiotherapy, and at 3 (t2), 6 (t3) and 12 (t4) months following treatment. In addition, at t1 the side effects were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Generally, the global QOL, a standard term describing general QOL, improved slightly (t0=49; t4=65). At t1, a significant increase in fatigue, loss of appetite and alopecia was reported. During follow-up, the symptoms experienced by the patients decreased, and the global QOL remained constant. The objectively recorded side effects of the therapy were comparable with the patient-reported outcomes.