The Portuguese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30

In this paper we report the results of a study aimed at translating and culturally validating the quality of life instrument QLQ-C30 initially developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). We begin by mentioning the forward-backward translations process used to construct a Portuguese version semantically equivalent to the original version. After minor revisions, the instrument was pilot tested in fifteen patients with breast cancer. A brief description of the results of the pilot test with women with breast cancer and with other two studies (mastectomized women and women with lymphomas) is presented in this paper as well as the results of the comparison with the other generic and specific outcome instruments. We conclude by referring the clinical relevance and the utility of the Portuguese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and by emphasizing the need for further evidence on the interpretability of the instrument.