Efficacy of Structured SOcial COnsultation and Support in Reducing the FINancial Burden of Radiotherapy

Objectives: * Assess the extent of financial burden of patients undergoing radiotherapy * Identify clinical and socio-economical factors correlated with the occurrence and extent of financial toxicity * Design a structured social consultation to reduce financial burden induced by radiotherapy Inclusion criteria: 1. age ≥ 18 years of age 2. indication for radiation treatment of a malignant disease 3. Karnofsky Performance score (KPS) ≥ 70% 4. Life expectancy ≥ 3 months Exclusion criteria: 1. Inability to provide informed consent 2. Inability to attend study visits and fulfill data collection requirements 3. Simultaneous participation in other studies which could interfere with this study Primary outcome: Financial burden as expressed by the COST score, measured at baseline and 3 months after completion of radiotherapy Secondary outcomes: * Socio-Economic factors at baseline * Health-related quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) at baseline and 3 months * Depression (PHQ-9) at baseline and 3 months * Coping mechanisms to address financial burden Primary Endpoint: Influence of secondary outcomes on changes of the primary outcome (COST-Score) between baseline and 3 months. Secondary Endpoints: * Changes in the COST-Score over time * Changes in PHQ-9 over time * Changes in EORTC QLQ-C30 over time This is an exploratory pilot study. To assess the compliance and effectiveness of the used methods all patients willing to participate in the given time period will be enrolled. To be assessed for eligibility: n = 300 To be allocated/randomised (if applicable) to trial: n = 150 To be analysed: n = 120