| Objective: To investigate the effect of megestrol acetate (MA)in improving the quality of life in patients with advanced malignant neoplasms.Methods:Eighty-nine patients with advanced malignant neoplasms were randomized into two groups,treatment group(44 patients) were treated with MA plus supportive care,controlled group(45patients)were treated with supportive care only. The changes of appetite,weight ,pain,KPS and overall survival were observed in each group .Results: In the treatment group, 35 cases(79.5%) got appetite improving,and 23 cases(52.2%) gained weight,18cases(40.9%)got pain relief, 25 cases(56.8%)got KPS score increasing; In the controlled group, 10 cases (22.7%) got appetite improving, 5 cases(11.1%) gained weight,4 cases (8.9%)got pain relief, 6 cases(13.3%)got KPS score increasing. The differences in two groups were significant (P<0.005). The overall survival in the treatment group was longer than that in the controlled group significantly (P<0.05). There was no obvious toxicityConclusions: Megestrol acetate can improve the quality of life and cachexia of patients with advanced malignant neoplasms,at the same time it can relieve cancer pain, prolong survival in some extent. Megestrol acetate is an effective drug in adjuvant therapy for patients with advanced malignant neoplasm.
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