A questionnaire, filled in by the patient, was used to assess the quality of life of 65 patients with previously untreated T2-T4 NX MO bladder cancer and of 67 patients with hormone-resistant prostatic cancer. This study examines the initial questionnaire filled in before any nonsurgical treatment had been started in the patients referred to an oncological ward. The aim was to identify domains in which distress was frequent, in the hope of indicating where treatment directed forward improving the patients' quality of life should be directed. The questionnaires yielded reliable and valid data. Among bladder cancer patients micturition disturbances and sexual problems dominated. Bone pain, fatigue, sexual disturbances and interruption of social relationships were the most frequent and most severe complaints of prostatic cancer patients. It was concluded that routine quality of life evaluation by self-assessment questionnaires is possible in a clinical ward provided some assistance by the nursing staff is available. Future treatment in patients for whom palliation is the main goal of therapy should be concentrated on improving the quality of life in areas where distress is evident. The effect of treatment on quality of life could be monitored by similar questionnaires.