Weekly symptom reports linked to longer survival in lung cancer study

People with lung cancer who were offered weekly online symptom reporting had a median survival of 26 months. Median survival was 21 months for those receiving usual care. The results come from a new analysis of the Dutch SYMPRO-Lung trial, published in The Lancet Oncology in September 2026.

How the SYMPRO-Lung trial monitored lung cancer symptoms

People in the symptom-reporting group were asked to complete a short online questionnaire each week for a year. They reported symptoms such as pain, breathlessness and fatigue.

When a report showed a problem that needed attention, the system alerted the care team or advised the person to contact them. This gave people a way to raise concerns between appointments.

Survival results from the SYMPRO-Lung trial

The new analysis looked at survival data from 446 people in the trial. Median survival was five months longer in the symptom-reporting group than in the usual-care group.

The trial was originally designed to study quality of life. Researchers examined long-term survival later. Further research is needed to confirm the survival finding.

Patient-reported outcomes in lung cancer care

Symptoms can change between appointments. Regular reports give care teams more information about how a person is doing. They also need a clear way to respond when someone asks for help.

These reports are called patient-reported outcomes. Our article on patient-reported outcomes in lung cancer care explains what they are and how care teams can use them.