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Chemotherapy and Quality of Life: An Observational Study of Cancer Patients at the Oncology Unit of Tertiary Care Hospital in Islamabad

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Cancer is a global health challenge, with millions of new cases annually. While improving survival rates, the disease and its treatment, particularly chemotherapy, significantly impact patients' quality of life (QoL) and cause side effects that severely affect patients' physical, emotional, and social well-being. As the number of cancer patients is rising in Pakistan, the health care system still faces multiple issues that may have an impact on patient outcomes and QoL. So, this study aims to assess the QoL of cancer patients before and after chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad. Methodology: A prospective cohort study at PIMS, Islamabad, enrolled 184 chemotherapy patients using consecutive sampling techniques. Ethical approvals and informed consent were obtained. Clinical as well as demographic data, together with well-being (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General [FACT-G]), were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: = 0.008 and 0.01, respectively), while emotional and social well-being showed modest but nonsignificant changes. Additionally, marked improvements were noted in hematological, renal, and hepatic parameters that directly influence the health-related QoL. Conclusion: Chemotherapy significantly improved QoL in specific domains, particularly physical and functional well-being, though emotional and social challenges persisted. These findings highlight the need for early detection, comprehensive supportive care, and survivorship programs tailored to the Pakistani context in mitigating these impacts and enhancing patient well-being.

Source: Avicenna Journal of Medicine

DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1814102