Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue
Published on: May 17, 2018
[Management of cancer-related fatigue]
Michel Pavic1, Pascal Sève, Hugues Rousset
1Service de médecine interne - oncologie, Hôpital d'instruction des armées Desgenettes, F-69003 Lyon, France. m.pavic@numericable.com
Introduction:
Cancer-related fatigue is very common but its management remains frustrating. We thus sought to review current knowledge in this field: epidemiologic data, pathophysiological mechanisms, assessment, and treatment.
Methods:
We queried the Medline database for all articles on this topic published between 1997 and 2007 and analyzed the articles published in English and French, as well as some of the essential earlier work.
Results:
Approximately 60 to 96% of patients treated for cancer report fatigue. The prevalence of fatigue that persists after the disease is considered to be in remission is substantial. Fatigue is a multidimensional problem with biological, psychological, social, and personal aspects. Physical causes must be systematically considered (comorbidities, anemia, and endocrine disorders), but most cases remain unresolved. Many may be attributed to deconditioning. There is not now any pharmacological therapy that treats this symptom effectively. Some psychostimulants are being tested, but the initial results of the studies are contradictory. Exercise is the intervention for which there is the most evidence of effectiveness.
Conclusion:
Cancer-related fatigue is a very common symptom for which no specific cause can usually be identified. In this situation, rest may be more harmful than exercise.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management
01:24Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...