Fatigue, a major still underestimated issue

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a frequent and distressing symptom present at any stage of the disease. However, it is still underreported, rarely properly assessed and undertreated.

There are international guidelines available, but also several barriers to their implementation into clinical practice.

According to guidelines, all patients should be clinically screened for CRF on regular basis, at the initial cancer visit and at intervals during every clinic visit, also at posttreatment follow-up visits. Generally, any treatable contributing factors should be identified and possibly treated. After the concomitant factors have been improved or removed, pharmacological and or nonpharmacological treatments of CRF can be considered.Further research is needed to better understand the causes, the better treatments, the easier assessment tool for CRF for clinical practice and to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing CRF guidelines.