Using quality of life assessment methods in patients with advanced cancer: a clinical perspective.

The incidence of cancer is expected to increase in most European countries by at least 20-30% in the next two decades. This change in incidence, combined with probably small changes in cure rate, will call for an increased effort in palliative oncology. Most patients with advanced malignant diseases have various unpleasant symptoms which are inadequately treated. In assessing patients' symptoms and well being, health-related quality of life (HRQL) should be the primary endpoint. Several HRQL instruments have been found to be valid for use in cancer clinical trials. The EORTC QLQ-C30 is one among several cancer-specific HRQL instruments. The QLQ-C30 is composed of nine multi-item scales and six single item measures. This instrument is developed to be used in conjunction with disease and/or specific modules.