Health Outcomes with Curative and Palliative Therapies in Real World: Role of the Quality of Life Summary Score in Thoracic Oncology Patients.

Patients with thoracic malignancies treated with curative intent experience a worsening of their QOL in the first year, whereas those receiving palliative anti-cancer therapy do not. QOL one year after the start of therapy depends on the baseline health scores as determined by the patient, comorbidity burden, and therapeutic strategy. Survival depends on therapeutic strategy and early hospitalization due to toxicity.