Background: Patients with cancer of the lung have to endure a quantity of physical, psychological and social difficulties. In their exposed position they are in need of help and support to pull through the situation. With the knowledge of factors effecting lung cancer patients’ quality of life, it will be easier to give the help and support they need.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe factors effecting lung cancer patients quality of life from the patient’s perspective.

Method: The study is based on a systematic literature review where eight articles were used and analysed with a qualitative checklist.

Result: Quality of life in lung cancer patients is influenced by physical, psychological and social factors. The physical factors are sleep-wake disturbances, fatigue, dyspnoea, and cancer stage and cell type. The psychological factors involve depression and distress. The social factors contain socioeconomic status, age and gender.

Conclusions: Factors effecting lung cancer patients’ quality of life mostly consists of symptoms related to the disease. These affect the patients’ state in a negative way. The nurse plays an important role in relieving these symptoms, which leads to a better quality of life of the patient.