A STUDY ON INFORMATION NEEDS, EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND PAIN ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC CANCER RECEIVING PALLIATIVE RADIOTHERAPY.

Background: To evaluate information needs and pain assessment in patients with metastatic cancer receiving palliative radiotherapy. To evaluate pre and post radiation quality of life in these patients. Materials and Methods: It is a Prospective study done in 50 Patients with Metastatic Cancers Receiving Palliative Radiotherapy for 2 years in patients age 18-75 in Histologically Confirmed Metastatic Cancers, Patients able to Comprehend and Understand the Questionnaires and ECOG Performance Score 1-3. Results: QOL data from base line to 1st month follow up was available for 50 patients. Base line 1st month follow up with Paired Sample T-test, there was a significant improvement in Global health score (GHS) (p=0.032), Physical functioning (p=0.03), Role functioning score (p=0.02), Emotional functioning score (p=0.016), Cognitive functioning score (p=0.008), Social functional scale shows improvement but statistically not significant (p=0.590). Symptom scales Pain (p=0.03), Fatigue (p=0.02), dyspnea (p= 0.034), appetite loss (p=0.047), diarrhea (p= 0.009) and Insomnia (p=0.018) showed statistically significant improvement. Nausea and vomiting (p=0.189), financial difficulties score (p=0.161) showed improvement but statistically not significant. Constipation showed worsening one month after RT (p=0.497) but statistically not significant. 68% of patients presented with pain. Pain score taken before starting radiotherapy and one month after completion of radiotherapy by using Numeric pain rating scale. Mean pain scale score before RT 4.28, Mean pain scale score after one month RT 1.68, Showed statistically significant improvement in Pain reduction (p=0.000). Conclusion: Patients with metastatic cancers who have received palliative radiotherapy have significant improvement in the Quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]