New Guidelines Emphasize the Role of Quality of Life Assessments in Advanced Cancer Care

A recently published policy review in The Lancet Oncology underscores the vital importance of integrating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures into the evaluation of treatments for patients with advanced cancer. Led by Ian Tannock and Madeline Pe, along with an international panel of oncologists, statisticians, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) specialists from organizations such as the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and Common Sense Oncology (CSO), the review advocates for a shift towards more patient-centered clinical trial practices.

This comprehensive publication emphasizes that alongside traditional endpoints like overall survival, HRQoL should be a key secondary outcome in clinical research. It stresses the necessity of standardizing responder criteria to better evaluate the extent of improvement or deterioration in patients' quality of life, making the results more meaningful for both clinicians and patients. The review advocates for defining HRQoL as a multi-dimensional measure that includes assessment of symptoms, functioning domains (such as physical, social, and role functioning), and overall HRQoL scores to capture the net clinical benefits or harms of therapies.

Involving patients in the design of clinical trials is another crucial recommendation, ensuring that the outcomes measured align with what matters most to those affected by the disease. Additionally, the review calls for transparent reporting of HRQoL data in main trial publications, including the proportion of patients experiencing significant improvements.

Prof. Ian F. Tannock emphasizes that understanding how treatments affect day-to-day life, not just survival, is fundamental to improving patient care. Dr. Madeline Pe highlights that clear communication of HRQoL outcomes will support shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers. The EORTC, under the leadership of Prof. Winette van der Graaf, aims to foster global collaboration to advance cancer research and enhance both survival and quality of life for patients facing metastatic or unresectable cancers.

This policy review marks a significant step towards more holistic cancer treatment evaluation, prioritizing patient well-being alongside clinical efficacy.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-policy-highlights-importance-health-quality.html