Symptom clusters related to specific cancers.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the current research related to symptom clusters in specific cancer diagnoses.

DATA SOURCES

Research studies, review articles.

CONCLUSION

Factors that can impact symptoms and their relationship include the stage of disease, treatment used, modification of treatment for the individual patient, patient co-morbidities as well as psychological, sociological, and cultural factors. Understanding is needed regarding which of these factors individually or in combination contribute to symptoms clustering together. The mechanism underlying symptom perception and interpretation need further exploration. Research focus should be on one type of cancer.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Symptom cluster research offers little at this point to be helpful in patient diagnosis, assessment, monitoring, or management of disease.