Acute cancer-related symptoms and concerns among patients receiving chemotherapy: current state of the science

Purpose: This study provides an updated evaluation of the prevalence and severity of acute cancer-related symptoms and quality of life (QOL) concerns among patients treated with emetogenic chemotherapy. Methods: Patients were recruited to a larger, multi-site observational study prior to starting chemotherapy. Participants completed sociodemographic questionnaires and clinical data were abstracted via medical record review. Symptoms and QOL were assessed 5 days after starting moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General assessed QOL concerns. Patient Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events evaluated symptoms. Symptoms were considered severe when participants responded “severe” or “very severe.” Results: Participants (N = 1174) were on average 58 ± 13 years, mostly female (73%), non-Hispanic (89%), and White (87%). Most participants were diagnosed with breast (38.1%), gynecological (20%), and gastrointestinal (17.1%) cancer. The most common QOL concerns of any severity were fatigue (94%), anhedonia (89%), dissatisfaction with QOL (86%), and sleep disturbance (86%). The most common severe QOL concerns were anhedonia (44%), fatigue (40%), and inability to work (38%). Decreased appetite (74%), pain (71%), and constipation (70%) were the most common symptoms of any severity, as well as most common severe symptoms (13%, 18%, and 18%, respectively). Conclusion: Herein, updates are provided in regard to QOL concerns and symptoms reported by patients in the days after chemotherapy and demonstrates that concerns and symptoms have shifted in the last decade.