Symptoms in children with advanced cancer: child and nurse reports

Systematic studies on the specific symptom experience in children with advanced cancer are limited.

The objective of the study was to examine the common symptoms and to explore commonly occurring symptoms over time.

A prospective and longitudinal study design was used. Data were collected at 10 data points from 60 children over a 5-month period. Children ranged from 6 to 17 years old, spoke English or Spanish, were diagnosed with advanced cancer, and were receiving healthcare in 1 of 4 Southern California hospitals. Nurses' documentations of symptoms were examined.

The study sample was composed of children 6 to 12 years old (52%) and 13 to 17 years old (48%); 42% were female, and 58% were male. Fifty-five percent were Latino, and 30% were Caucasian. Pain, nausea, drowsiness, and energy loss were reported by children in more than 50% of the interviews. Children's and nurses' reports of symptoms were similar except children reported significantly more frequency and intensity of pain.

Children with advanced cancer were able to report and describe their symptoms. There were few differences by gender, age, and ethnicity.

It is important that children's symptoms are clearly communicated to nurses, and these study findings may be used to anticipate and manage the symptoms experienced by children with advanced cancer.