Common symptoms in advanced cancer.

The relief of physical and psychological symptoms is an essential part of palliative care. Advanced cancer is an acute process; because the clinical picture changes rapidly, symptoms must be reassessed regularly, and a careful history is essential. Defining the relationship of the symptoms to the disease can defuse fear and encourage a sense of control in patients and their families. We review the pathophysiology, causes, prevalence, consequence, and management of common symptoms in advanced cancer.