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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
08:56
Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue
Published on: May 17, 2018
Fatigue in advanced cancer: a prospective study
Katherine Hauser1, Declan Walsh, Lisa A Rybicki
1Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
|June 10, 2008
Summary
Advanced cancer patients universally experience fatigue. Brain metastases and poor quality of life significantly predict fatigue severity, while prior radiation therapy may reduce it.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Palliative Medicine
- Symptom Management
Background:
- Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom in advanced cancer patients.
- The clinical features and correlates of cancer-related fatigue are not fully understood.
- Palliative care settings provide a unique opportunity to study advanced cancer symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical correlates of fatigue in patients referred to a palliative medicine program.
- To investigate factors associated with fatigue severity in advanced cancer.
- To understand the relationship between fatigue and quality of life in this population.
Main Methods:
- A survey of consecutive patients admitted to a palliative medicine program.
- Data collection included patient demographics, cancer characteristics, prior treatments, and laboratory results.
- Validated instruments like Visual Analogue Scales assessed fatigue, quality of life, and daily activity performance.
Main Results:
- Fatigue was a universal symptom upon referral to palliative care.
- Fatigue severity correlated with brain metastases, poor performance status, reduced quality of life, and decreased ability to perform daily activities.
- Prior radiation therapy was associated with less severe fatigue, whereas age, sex, and hemoglobin levels showed no association.
Conclusions:
- Brain metastases and poor quality of life are independent predictors of severe fatigue in advanced cancer.
- Hemoglobin level is not a reliable predictor of fatigue severity.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the clinical features and complex relationships of cancer-related fatigue.
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