The Lung Cancer Subscale (LCS) for the FACT-L questionnaire can help report changes in symptoms affecting a patient with lung cancer.
Symptoms:
(1) shortness of breath
(2) weight loss
(3) clearness of thinking
(4) cough
(5) good appetite
(6) chest tightness
(7) easiness of breathing
Responses
Increasing (3, 5, 7)
Decreasing (1, 2, 4, 6)
not at all
0
4
a little
1
3
somewhat
2
2
quite a bit
3
1
very much
4
0
total LCS score =
= SUM(points for all questions answered)
At least 4 items must be answered. If 4 to 6 items are answered, then the score can be adjusted to that expected for 7 responses based on simple ratios:
total score adjusted to 7 items =
= (score for answered items) * 7 / (number of items answered)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 28
• The higher the score the better the patient's symptoms.
• Tumor and symptom response to therapy are related, with symptoms often improving prior to radiographic regression (page 2946).
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