Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
A systematic review of symptom assessment scales in children with cancer
L Lee Dupuis1, Marie-Chantal Ethier, Deborah Tomlinson
1Program in Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.
Insights
Pediatric cancer symptom assessment scales are not used for screening. Research indicates a need for tools to screen symptoms in children with cancer, improving their care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Clinical Assessment
- Cancer Symptom Management
Background:
- Symptom assessment is crucial in pediatric oncology.
- Existing scales have been reviewed for their application in children with cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe symptom assessment scales utilized in pediatric cancer patients.
- To evaluate the application and impact of these scales in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Systematic electronic literature searches were performed on OVID Medline and EMBASE.
- Two reviewers extracted data on study demographics, instruments, patient populations, and purpose of use.
Main Results:
- Fourteen studies identified eight distinct symptom assessment scales.
- Most scales measured symptom burden prevalence; none were used for screening or altered patient management.
- Child self-report was used in eight studies, primarily with children on active cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- No identified symptom assessment scales are currently used as screening tools in pediatric cancer.
- There is a significant need for developing dedicated symptom screening tools for children with cancer.
Background:
The objective was to describe symptom assessment scales that have been used in children with cancer.
Methods:
We conducted electronic searches of OVID Medline and EMBASE in order to identify all symptom assessment scales that have been used in pediatric cancer. Two reviewers abstracted information from each identified study. Data collected included study demographics and information related to the instrument and children enrolled. We also collected information about the purpose of instrument administration and whether treatment was altered as a result of this information.
Results:
Fourteen studies were identified which evaluated eight different symptom assessment scales. Eight studies used child self-report and all studies included children on active treatment for cancer although 4 studies also included children following completion of treatment. The most common purpose of instrument administration was to measure the prevalence of symptom burden (n = 8). None of the 14 studies used the scale to screen for symptoms and none changed patient management on the basis of identified symptoms.
Conclusions:
We failed to identify any symptom assessment scales that were used as a symptom screening tool. There is a need to develop such a tool for use in children with cancer.
