Symptom characteristics and clustering in children and adolescents undergoing or being off cancer chemotherapy

To describe the prevalence of symptoms, their characteristics and distress and to define symptom clusters occurring among children and adolescents receiving chemotherapy or having completed their treatment.

Data were collected using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale in patients receiving chemotherapy and those who had completed it. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers, whilst information over the disease status and treatment regimens was obtained from medical records. Cluster analysis techniques were used to identify symptom clusters.

The most common symptoms were lack of appetite, feeling nervous and lack of energy in children/adolescents who were receiving chemotherapy. Feeling nervous, feeling sad and lack of energy were the most common symptoms in children/adolescents who had completed chemotherapy. The most distressing symptoms were nausea, hair loss and vomiting in patients aged 10-18 years, being on treatment. Five symptom clusters were identified in children and adolescents who were both undergoing or being off chemotherapy.

Children/adolescents receiving chemotherapy experience multiple symptoms that persist over time. Symptom distress is relatively higher among children/ adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. Knowledge from this study can provide a starting point to investigate the stability of symptom clusters in different age groups and over various periods of time.