OBJECTIVES: NSCLC causes significant symptom burden, particularly at advanced stages. This study was conducted to gain insight into patients’ experience of adv/met NSCLC and identify the symptoms and daily life impacts of importance to patients.

METHODS: Semi-structured, qualitative interviews, using open-ended questions and lasting 45–60 minutes were conducted by telephone/virtual platform with US patients with a confirmed diagnosis of adv/met NSCLC to explore symptomatology and disease impacts on daily life.

RESULTS: In total, 19 patients (aged 28–71 years; 95% female) were interviewed. Most patients were receiving targeted therapy (63%) and were diagnosed with adv/met NSCLC >12 months prior (79%). Patients reported 14 symptoms experienced throughout their disease, with shortness of breath/difficulty breathing (n=16), fatigue (n=16), cough (n=13) and pain (e.g., chest, back; n=9) most frequently ranked in the top 3 most important symptoms. Patients often had difficulty distinguishing disease-related from treatment-related symptoms, particularly cough, fatigue and shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. Gastrointestinal (n=9), hair/skin/nail issues (n=4), changes in senses (e.g., vision/taste; n=3) and swelling (n=2) were described solely as treatment-related. Patients reported impacts on physical functioning (mainly difficulty walking [n=16]), psychological well-being (mainly anxiety/depression [n=16]) and activities of daily living (ADL; mainly difficulty performing daily tasks [n=13]). Walking and ADL were impacted by fatigue and shortness of breath, while pain also contributed to difficulty with ADL. Patients connected coughing to impaired ability to sleep, impacts on ADL such as having conversations or laughing, and impacts on psychological well-being.

CONCLUSIONS: These interviews indicate that patients with adv/met NSCLC are negatively impacted by disease-related and treatment-related symptoms. Understanding the symptoms and impacts most relevant to patients can help inform which patient-reported outcomes reflect treatment benefits in clinical trials and support treatment decision-making in clinical practice.