ABSTRACT
Recent advancements in care and treatment mean that a greater number of patients with haematological malignancies are now achieving cure, or at least substantial lengths of time in remission. Consequently, many patients and researchers are asking questions not only about prognosis, cure, and morbidity, but also about what life will be like after treatment has finished (Andrykowski & Henslee, 1988; Lansky et al., 1986; Lesko, 1993b; Meadows & Hobbie, 1986). In a situation where the ‘treatment can be worse than the disease’, some attempt at an answer to such questions is vital if patients are to make informed decisions as to whether enduring the stress of therapeutic intervention is worth the benefit of the length and QOL gained. Obtaining substantial data on the psycho-social adjustment of survivors, late morbidity, and QOL of survivorship is consequently considered essential.
