Quality of life 3 months following lung cancer resection

Abstract

Historically, lung cancer was often diagnosed in an advanced state and patients were seldom candidates for lung resection. With the increase use of CT, lung cancer is more often diagnosed at and early state and resection rates have increased. As a result, lung cancer survival has improved. However, more patients now live with sequelae of thoracic surgery. There is no optimal method of follow-up and surveillance after lung cancer resection. In Denmark, patients are monitored for five years with CT scans and regular outpatient visit at either the Department of Respiratory Diseases or Department of Oncology.

In this study 50 patients were seen 3 months following lung cancer resection in the Department of Respiratory Diseases. They filled out a quality of life questionnaire focusing on physical and mental issues following lung cancer investigation and operation. They performed a spirometry and inhalation medicine and tobacco use was recorded.

The majority of patients had physical symptoms (86%), main complaints were shortness of breath, fatigue, cough and weight loss. On the contrary, only 38% of patients had mental complaints at follow-up, the main issue being emotional distress (34%). Only 22% of patients used inhalation medicine (SABA, LABA or LAMA), despite the fact that 48% was obstructive on spirometry and mean mMRC score was 1. 14% of patients were active smokers while 46% had smoked during the past 12 months.

The majority of patients presented with physical symptoms, while a minority had mental problems after lung cancer resection. Hence, the outpatient visits should focus on physical issues, rehabilitation, smoking cessation and prescription of inhalation medicine; while screening for patients with mental problems.