Quality of life of brain tumor patients.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a review of the quality of life (QOL) and to delineate nursing implications to increase QOL in brain tumor patients.

DATA SOURCES

Review articles and research studies pertaining to quality of life and brain tumor patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, patients maintain a high physical functional level for a majority of time during their illness. The main problems include memory loss, fatigue, and loss of concentration. QOL is decreased with several debilitating symptoms relating to the tumor or recurrent disease, and increased when being actively treated or in remission.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses must be able to listen carefully to patients with brain tumors and take action when symptoms arise. By assisting the patients to decrease the symptoms and to access support services, QOL is increased.