Les critères d'évaluation des cancers broncho-pulmonaires

The aim of medical treatment in lung cancer is often to a large extent palliative, due to advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Evaluation of such treatment has usually been based on objective responses, global survival, survival at 1 or 2 years and the occurrence of toxicities, but also more recently on assessment of quality of life. Two Quality of Life questionnaires have been validated (FACT and QLQ C30). The different criteria of 'quality of life' are presented and also their difficulties in application and interpretation, due to potential problems of bias. In routine clinical practice, only the visual symptom scales are of use, in association with the wishes and understanding of patients which must remain at the centre of medical care allowing the patient being a partner in therapeutic decisions.