The importance of quality-of-life endpoints in clinical trials to the practicing oncologist.

Quality-of-life research has helped describe and draw attention to the human side of cancer treatment. The field has made tremendous advances and has influenced the treatment of cancer. The practicing oncologist can benefit greatly by keeping abreast of developments in this field and applying them to the selection of treatment modalities based on both treatment efficacy and the patient's wishes. In the future, quality-of-life research will probably continue to be integrated into the practice of oncology.