Effects of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin on Quality of Life
and Survival in Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell
Lung Cancer
VORACHAI RATANATHARATHORN,M.D.*,
EKAPOB SIRACHAINAN, M.D.*,
MANMANA JIRAJARUS, R.N., M.S.N.**
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine,
**Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
AbstractThe purpose of this phase II study was to detennine the effects of paclitaxel plus car-
boplatin administered by short duration on response rate, toxicity, and quality of life (QOL) in
patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Twenty-seven patients were enrolled in this
study. The objective response rate was 48.2 per cent, grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia and throm-
bocytopenia were observed in 22 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively. QOL was assessed in
nineteen patients who completed six cycles of chemotherapy. Quality of Life Index (QLI) after
six cycles of treatment showed no significant change from the baseline QOL. Compliance with
the QOL protocol in this study diminished with the course of chemotherapy which is comparable
to the literature figure. Thus, withholding current effective chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC
with good performance status is no longer justified.
Keywords : Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Chemotherapy, Quality of Life, Paclitaxel. Carboplati
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