Effects of paclitaxel and carboplatin on quality of life and survival in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

The purpose of this phase II study was to determine the effects of paclitaxel plus carboplatin 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 thrombocytopenia 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.