Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To report evidence regarding assessment methods and management strategies for symptom clusters among children and adolescents with cancer.

DATA SOURCES

Published research and clinical guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Although a number of studies have identified multiple co-occurring symptoms in children and adolescents with cancer, only a few have included analyses aimed at identifying symptom clusters. Evidence is limited for symptom cluster management strategies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Researchers and clinicians need to employ mechanisms that support children and adolescents to: 1) fully express multiple, co-occurring symptoms; 2) identify symptom clusters within specific developmental and diagnostic groups; and 3) develop and evaluate interventions targeting symptom clusters.