Survival Rates, Quality of Life and Side Effects of Medical Cannabis in Patients with Palliative Cancer in Thailand

Thanamet Thaenkham; Pattapong Kessomboon; Bandit Chumworathayi; Poochit Dabpookhiew; Panida Pittayakittiwong; Thanapon Srivong; Sathita Ruengsiriphakakul; Wijitra Sena; Kanyapak Silarak; Khachornsak Seevathee

doi:10.59796/jcst.V15N2.2025.108

Authors

Thanamet Thaenkham Department of Community, Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Pattapong Kessomboon Department of Community, Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Bandit Chumworathayi Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Poochit Dabpookhiew Nong Han Hospital, Nong Han District, Udon Thani 41130, Thailand
Panida Pittayakittiwong Phon Hospital, Phon District, Khon Kaen 40120, Thailand
Thanapon Srivong Sirindhorn Hospital, Ban Haed District, Khon Kaen 40110, Thailand
Sathita Ruengsiriphakakul Phayakkhaphoom Pisai Hospital, Phayakkhaphum Phisai District, Maha Sarakham 44110, Thailand
Wijitra Sena Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Kanyapak Silarak Phra Achan Fan Ajaro Hospital, Phanna Nikhom District, Sakon Nakhon 47130, Thailand
Khachornsak Seevathee Department of Community, Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59796/jcst.V15N2.2025.108

Keywords:

survival rates, quality of life, side effects, medical cannabis, morphine, palliative cancer, EQ-5D-5L, ESAS

Abstract

This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes and safety in patients with palliative cancer who used cannabis and morphine across dimensions such as survival rate, hospital admission rate, number of hospital days, quality of life, and side effects. A retrospective cohort observational study was conducted based on medical records from January 1, 2020 – March 30, 2023. Additionally, a prospective cohort study was conducted using the EQ-5D-5L and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) quality of life scales. The study included 98 cancer patients receiving palliative care in six hospitals. The results showed that the median survival time of the cannabis group (CG) was 0.69 years, and the morphine group (MG) was 0.52 years (p = 0.168). The CG had a lower hospital admission rate than the MG, p>0.05. The CG had fewer number of hospital days than the MG, p<0.05. The quality of life (QOL) assessment by ESAS indicated that the CG had a better QOL than the MG, p<0.05. The EQ-5D-5L tool also demonstrated that the QOL score for the CG was higher than that of the MG, p<0.05. The MG had higher levels of liver enzymes, including AST and ALT than those who received cannabis, p<0.05. These findings suggest that medical cannabis may be beneficial for palliative cancer patients.

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