Troublesome symptoms in cancer survivors: fatigue, insomnia, neuropathy, and pain

J Clin Oncol. 2012 Oct 20;30(30):3687-96. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2012.41.7238. Epub 2012 Sep 24.

Abstract

Patients with cancer suffer from a variety of symptoms associated with both cancer and its treatment. These symptoms may lead to a decreased quality of life for patients and can affect compliance with cancer therapies. The importance of adequately treating cancer-related symptoms is gaining more attention but, overall, many symptoms remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. Fatigue, insomnia, neuropathy, and pain are among the most common troublesome symptoms experienced by cancer survivors. This article will focus on the management of these symptoms, including an assessment of the current research and proposed best- management practices.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Fatigue / etiology*
  • Fatigue / therapy
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / etiology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / therapy
  • Quality of Life
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / etiology*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / therapy
  • Survivors*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents