Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
09:29
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
18.9K
Symptom Map of Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Scoping Review
Yehui Zhu1, Susan M Cohen, Margaret Q Rosenzweig
1Author Affiliations: School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Cancer Nursing
|August 24, 2018
Summary
Endocrine therapy for breast cancer causes significant symptoms impacting quality of life. This review identified five key symptoms: joint/muscle pain, hot flashes, low sexual desire, stiffness, and fatigue, guiding clinical practice and future research.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Symptom Science
Background:
- Endocrine therapy for breast cancer is associated with numerous symptoms.
- These symptoms negatively affect patient adherence to treatment and overall quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically map symptoms experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy.
- To inform current clinical practices and guide future research directions in symptom management.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and China Science Periodical Databases.
- Searched for studies in English and Chinese, including reference lists of identified articles.
- Synthesized data from 57 included studies out of 2551 initially identified.
Main Results:
- Synthesized evidence for 16 most studied and 15 most prevalent symptoms.
- Identified five key symptoms: joint/muscle pain, hot flashes, low sexual interest/desire, joint/muscle stiffness, and fatigue/lack of energy.
- Highlighted gaps in research regarding understudied but prevalent symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers should routinely assess the five identified key symptoms in patients on endocrine therapy.
- Significant gaps persist in understanding the full spectrum of symptom experiences.
- Future research should address symptom intensity, distress, understudied symptoms, clusters, and develop specialized assessment tools.
Related Concept Videos
01:45Endocrine Signaling
68.2K
Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
68.2K
02:49Cancer Therapies
10.2K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
10.2K
01:17The Scope of Physics
53.2K
Physics is concerned with the interactions of energy, matter, space, and time, in order to discover the underlying mechanisms that underpin all phenomena. The word "physics" comes from the Greek word "phúsis", which means nature. Physics seeks to comprehend the natural world around us at its most fundamental level. It emphasizes the use of quantitative laws to do this, which could be valuable in other fields that want to push the performance boundaries of present...
53.2K
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
8.9K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.9K
00:46What is the Endocrine System?
420.7K
The endocrine system sends hormones—chemical signals—through the bloodstream to target cells—the cells the hormones selectively affect. These signals are produced in endocrine cells, secreted into the extracellular fluid, and then diffuse into the blood. Eventually, they diffuse out of the blood and bind to target cells which have specialized receptors to recognize the hormones.
420.7K
01:29The Endocrine System
1.4K
The endocrine system is an extensive network of glands – organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals that control many bodily functions, that secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers that play essential roles in regulating various bodily functions. These hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. They require specific receptors to convey signals to cells possessing these corresponding receptors. This complex signaling mechanism ensures that...
1.4K