Outcome Factors

FACTORS AFFECTING OUTCOME

CANCER	PATIENT
Growth fraction (% of cells not in G₀)	Overall health (assessed using the Karnofsky scale)
Doubling time	Bone marrow capacity
Type	Liver function
Stage	Kidney function
Resistance	Age
	Compliance

many of these factors directly determine the effectiveness of antineoplastic therapy
for example,
- on the cancer side:
  - growth fraction determines efficacy of CCS drugs
  - doubling time affects course scheduling
  - type and stage can determine cure vs. palliation
  - resistance can limit treatment and/or force a switch in medication
- on the patient side:
  - bone marrow suppression is the major dose-limiting toxicity for many drugs, so capacity will determine both dose and duration of treatment
  - many antineoplastic drugs are metabolized in the liver and/or eliminated in the urine, so liver and kidney function will determine drug selection and/or dosage
  - the side effects of many cancer drugs are so severe that patients will choose to stop treatment (for example, the nausea and vomiting associated with CISPLATIN and MECHLORETHAMINE are particularly disabling)