[Knowledge of lung cancer patients about their disease and their psychological adaptation].

Among 42 patients with primary lung cancer, 11 refused, 20 admitted while 11 admitted partially the fact of their disease. Later on, compensatory mental dysadaptation in the first group was followed by inadequate attitude to the disease. The growing awareness of the disease involved neurotic symptom enhancement which was an adequate response under the circumstances. On the other hand, adequate self-assessment and finding ways of self-expression promoted psychological adaptation. The better the patient was informed of his or her condition, the more their sense of responsibility for it was stimulated.