Quality of life and gynaecological oncology

Abstract

Biomedical endpoints such as overall survival and disease free survival are important outcome measures in the management of gynaecological malignancies. Curative treatment is associated with disease and treatment related morbidity. Quality of life assessment has become an integral part of management evaluation in both curative, but more so in palliative treatment scenarios.In specific situations quality of life has a direct effect on the choice of treatment option where biomedical outcome is equivalent in treatment arms. Quality of life outcomes determine preferred future treatment options. Quality of life assessments in ovarian, cervical, vulvar, endometrial cancer, and trophoblastic disease has a direct influence on future treatment options and also play a role in the support and management of long term survivors of the condition.