Physical symptoms in long-term survivors of rare cancer

Advances in cancer detection and treatment have resulted in a growing population of long-term survivors, but even years after treatment has concluded, many survivors report physical symptoms that interfere with daily living. While there are studies of late effects following common cancers, less is known about these complications in rare cancers. This study focuses on the physical symptoms reported by long-term survivors enrolled in the NIH-sponsored Rare Cancer Genetics Registry.

The Rotterdam Symptom Checklist-Modified was administered to evaluate the severity of physical symptoms commonly reported by long-term cancer survivors. Logistic regression was used to assess association between symptoms and demographic and clinical factors.

In 309 subjects with a median time of 7.6 years from a diagnosis of one or more rare cancers, the median number of symptoms present per participant was 7. The most prevalent symptom reported was tiredness/lack of energy, which was present/very bothersome in 70%/25% of registrants. Women, non-whites, current smokers, and upper GI cancer survivors are particularly affected. Overall, symptom prevalence was similar across rare cancer types, time since diagnosis, and type of treatment.

Rare cancer survivors continue to experience troublesome symptoms many years after diagnosis, regardless of cancer type or treatment modality.

There is a need for continued emphasis on smoking cessation in cancer survivors as well as enhanced monitoring of long-term complications in female, non-white, and upper GI cancer survivors.