OBJECTIVE: To determine treatment patterns and cost associated with the management of lung cancer in France from the perspective of French hospitals by means of a retrospective chart review. METHODS: Estimates were based on a retrospective review of medical care consumption in patients diagnosed with either small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between 06/98 and 06/99 and followed until 09/99. Quotas were defined by type and stage of lung cancer according to available epidemiological data. Patients were identified at a representative sample of 11 hospital centres in France. Costs were estimated from date of diagnosis until death or 16 months follow-up. Costs were adjusted for censoring by means of a method described by Lin et al. (Biometrics, 1997). RESULTS : 439 patient charts were reviewed, including 92 SCLC and 357 NSCLC. Mean age at diagnosis was 62, sex ratio was 82% male, 18% female. Survival at 12 months was 36% for SCLC and ranged between 79% and 32% for NSCLC depending on stage at diagnosis. All patients with limited-stage SCLC received chemotherapy and 84% benefited from radiotherapy. Of patients with disseminated SCLC, 91% received chemotherapy and 49% palliative radiotherapy. Patients with stage I-III NSCLC were treated with surgery (43%), chemotherapy (71%) and/or radiotherapy (73%). Stage IV NSCLC patients had surgery (15%) and/or chemotherapy (91%) and/or radiotherapy (65%). Preliminary analyses indicate that the management of adverse events accounted for more than 25% of the total cost. CONCLUSION: Considering the high cost management of adverse events and radiotherapy, new chemotherapy treatments increasing overall survival with acceptable toxicity profile and decreasing radiotherapy acts, would have a significant economic value. Updated results will be presented.