Computer-Generated Quality of Life Assessment Program for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients (LUNL2)

In the treatment of advanced cancer, maximizing quality of life (QoL) is a fundamental goal for oncologists and their patients. In order to achieve this goal, some form of systematic and reliable QoL assessment is needed in routine clinical practice to evaluate the impact of advanced cancer treatments on QoL. The Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) is a validated site-specific QoL measure designed for use in patients with lung cancer undergoing treatment. Recently it has been developed into an electronic form that uses a hand-held pocket personal computer (pc) to enhance collection and presentation of QoL assessments into clinical trials and patient care. This study will evaluate the impact of this computer-generated QoL (LCSS-QL) assessment on treatment practices for advanced lung cancer patients using a randomized trial design. The investigators hypothesize that a Computer-Generated Quality of Life Assessment Program will positively impact treatment patterns for patients with lung cancer. Specifically, the investigators hypothesize: 1. Use of the LCSS-QL will increase and accelerate referral to and use of palliative care services; 2. Use of the LCSS-QL will decrease the duration of palliative chemotherapy treatment with earlier identification of lack of benefit in some patients; 3. Use of the LCSS-QL may decrease the use of imaging tests to assess objective tumor response as an indicator of treatment benefit. Maximizing quality of life is one of the most important goals of palliative chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced lung cancer. If this simple practical tool can be demonstrated to improve palliative management of these patients, including optimizing duration of chemotherapy and use of palliative and supportive services based on patient QoL response, this will dramatically improve the quality of care provided to advanced lung cancer patients. This study will also provide a springboard for other ways to incorporate computer-generated QoL measurement in treatment decision-making in advanced cancer patients, including in other tumor types such as advanced breast and colorectal cancer.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria

* Diagnosis of Primary Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
* Stage 3 or 4 Lung Cancer
* To receive 1st line Chemotherapy
* Platinum based chemotherapy or Non Platinum
* Physical ability to use the hand held device(adequate vision, manual dexterity),
* ECOG 1-2
* Written fluency in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese or Chinese

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients will be excluded if they are unable to complete or understand the assessment process,
* If they are receiving concurrent radical radiotherapy.