Nandan, N Shanbhag (2010) Cancer related fatigue, effect of cancer treatment on fatigue and effect of fatigue on quality of life. Masters thesis, Madras Medical College, Chennai.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancers in all forms are causing about 12 per cent of deaths throughout the world. In the developed countries cancer is the second leading cause of death accounting for 21% (2.5 million) of all mortality. In the developing countries cancer ranks third as a cause of death and accounts for 9.5% (3.8 million) of all deaths. Tobacco alcohol, infections and hormones contribute towards occurrence of common cancers all over the world. Cancer has become one of the ten leading causes of death in India. It is estimated that there are nearly 1.5-2 million cancer cases at any given point of time. Over 7 lakh new cases of cancer and 3 lakh deaths occur annually due to cancer. Nearly 15 lakh patients require facilities for diagnosis, treatment and follow up at a given time. Data from population-based registries under National Cancer Registry Programme indicate that the leading sites of cancer are oral cavity, lungs, oesophagus and stomach amongst men and cervix, breast and oral cavity amongst women. Cancers namely those of oral and lungs in males, and cervix and breast in females account for over 50% of all cancer deaths in India. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the magnitude of fatigue in Cancer Patients 2. To determine the effect of Cancer Treatment (Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy) on fatigue. 3. To determine the effect of Fatigue on Quality of Life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was done purely in the Government hospital after obtaining the consent from the involved patients. The Tamil consent form is attached (appendix II). Ethical Committee clearance was obtained prior to the study.(appendix I). The license required to use the FACT-G in this study was obtained (appendix IV). The validity & reliability report for the FACT-G also obtained (appendix V). The study was periodically reviewed & presented in the department during the course. Estimation of Sample Size: The estimation of sample size is based on the study “Cancer-related fatigue: inevitable, unimportant and untreatable? Results of a multi-centre patient survey. Cancer Fatigue Forum.AU - Stone P et al”. The sample size is estimated based on 5% significance level and with an error of 0.6. The sample size required is 110. Sampling procedure: 120 patients with histologically proven cancer, receiving Cancer Treatment in the Radiation Oncology department of Madras Medical College February 2009 to September 2009 were the subjects of the study. Inclusion criteria: 1. Patients above 15 years. 2. Patient with histological documentation of Cancer. 3. Patients receiving External Beam Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy. 4. Patients with Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS) 70 and above. Exclusion criteria 1. Patients below 15 years. 2. Patients with KPS < 70. CONCLUSION: Fatigue prevalence – In this study 100% of the patients studied had fatigue be it either mild, moderate or severe. While other studies have had ranges from 65- 90%.One of the reasons for this variation could be that the patients in this study were all from low socio-economic group which makes it that much harder for them to have nutritious wholesome meal for 3/day. Cancer Related Fatigue affected all areas of patient’s life. Cancer related fatigue effected the time taken by the patients to attain normal productive life Cancer Related Fatigue peaked at 4-5 weeks of treatment. As observed in this study & review of the previous literature suggests that the Cancer related fatigue peaked during 4th- 5th week of the treatment .The reason for this needs to be further evaluated. Cancer Related Fatigue reduces the Quality of Life in patients .Cancer related fatigue effected every aspect of the patients life. It had a negative effect on the Emotional, Functional, Physical & social well being of the patients. Cancer related fatigue never reached pretreatment level scores. In this study none of the patients ever reported to reach the pre-treatment levels of fatigue even at 2 months of follow up.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Cancer treatment ; fatigue ; quality of life. |
| Subjects: | MEDICAL > Radio Therapy |
| Depositing User: | Punitha K |
| Date Deposited: | 23 May 2018 17:28 |
| Last Modified: | 23 May 2018 17:28 |
| URI: | http://repository-tnmgrmu.ac.in/id/eprint/8019 |
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