Palliative therapy in advanced ovarian cancer: balancing patient expectations, quality of life and cost.

摘要: The goals of chemotherapy for recurrent/refractory ovarian cancer are the palliation disease-related symptoms, and improvement quality quantity life. Previous studies palliative therapy in advanced have focused on surrogate measures patient benefit rather than evaluating end-points such as life clinical benefit. impact survival, cost unknown there been no comparing treatment with best supportive care. Although is insufficient information from existing to determine whether cost-effective, some evidence suggest that has a role symptoms an apparent We relate results two studies. (i) A prospective study second/third-line well its effectiveness, which found mean total per period (one line chemotherapy) was Canadian $12500. In addition, half patients seemed derive quarter had objective response their disease. (ii) retrospective all costs initiation until death demonstrated $53000 patient. Our demonstrate expectations high willing put up significant toxicity modest may be associated costs, even prolongation survival can render cost-effective. major saving reduced need hospitalization towards end Future should focus include comparison