Quality-of-life management for cancer patients.

The importance of considering quality-of-life issues throughout the treatment of these cancers is evident. Although quality-of-life variables are being delineated for cancers of various organ systems, safeguarding the patient's sense of well being and self-esteem while preserving organ, endocrine, exocrine, and hormonal function, fosters the best possible quality of life for the patient in either a palliative or a curative setting. The next millennium will usher into practice more aggressive, targeted therapies that combine surgery, radiotherapy, and genetic and biologic agents. The proper sequencing, administration, and toxicity of these therapies will decrease morbidity and improve the quality of life for patients. Above all, the healthcare provider must be aware of the patient's personal concerns and needs for a good quality of life. The dictum espoused by Hippocrates of "primum non nocere" ("first, do no harm") is nowhere more appropriate than in the planning of individual therapies to achieve optimal quality of life.