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Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue
08:56

Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue

Published on: May 17, 2018

Fatigue in children with cancer at the end of life

Christina K Ullrich1, Veronica Dussel, Joanne M Hilden

  • 1Center for Outcomes and Policy Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. christina_ullrich@dfci.harvard.edu

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|August 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Fatigue significantly impacts children with advanced cancer, often linked to other symptoms and treatment side effects. Effective fatigue management remains a challenge, requiring more research and targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Palliative Care
  • Symptom Management

Background:

  • Fatigue is a common and poorly understood symptom in children with advanced cancer.
  • Understanding fatigue is crucial for improving quality of life in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the experience of fatigue in children with advanced cancer.
  • To identify factors associated with fatigue and its treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cross-sectional study involving 141 parents of children who died of cancer.
  • Data collected from two U.S. pediatric hospitals.

Main Results:

  • 96% of children experienced fatigue in their last month of life, with nearly 50% suffering significantly.
  • Fatigue was associated with pain, dyspnea, anorexia, nausea/vomiting, fear, and treatment side effects.
  • Factors independently associated with fatigue suffering included nausea/vomiting, anorexia, and fear. Less experienced oncologists were associated with children suffering from fatigue. Fatigue-directed treatment was rarely successful.

Conclusions:

  • Fatigue is a prevalent and distressing symptom for children with advanced cancer at the end of life.
  • Current palliative strategies for fatigue are often unsuccessful.
  • There is a need for greater focus on factors contributing to fatigue and the development of effective interventions.
Abstract

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