Frequency of symptoms in patients with advanced cancer

Yalçin B., Büyükçelik A., Şenler F. Ç., UTKAN G., Tek I., Doǧan M., ...More

Turkish Journal of Cancer, vol.35, no.4, pp.177-180, 2005 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Cancer
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Academic Search Premier
  • Page Numbers: pp.177-180
  • Keywords: Advanced cancer, Questionnaire, Supportive treatment, Symptoms
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In advanced cancer, aggressive palliative care remains inadequate. We aimed to determine frequency of symptoms in patients with advanced cancer who were admitted to outpatient clinic of medical oncology at least two times for treatment or follow up, by using a questionnaire. Total 236 consecutive patients with various advanced cancer were recruited to this study. The median age of patients was 53 years (range, 17-84 years) and female/male ratio was 103/133. The most frequent symptoms were fatigue (71%), irritation (50.4%), pain (45.1%), anorexia (45.1%), nausea (45.1%), xerostomia (42.1%), distress (41.5%), weight loss (39.4%), cough/sputum (37.7%), constipation (36%), tastelessness (35.2%), forgetfulness (32.6%), vertigo (30.9%), and insomnia (30%) in all of patients. In conclusion, this study is informative about the frequency of symptoms in advanced cancer patients.