Dyspnea and the cancer patient--an overview

Dyspnea, a distressing subjective symptom common in patients with advanced cancer, has been vastly under-reported. It can be directly caused from the tumour such as in superior vena cava obstruction; indirectly caused from debilitating conditions such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism; or related to treatment such as surgery or radiation therapy. Nursing assessment and diagnosis are discussed. The authors present strategies for the management of dyspnea that nurses will find helpful when confronted with this symptom. Nurses play an important role in helping patients and their families to cope with dyspnea and to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible.