Fatigue in children and adolescents with cancer: evolution of a program of study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of a research program focused on cancer-related fatigue in children and adolescents and the resulting definition and model. METHODS: Research studies, review articles, and clinical examples. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue has been identified by children and adolescents who are receiving treatment for cancer as one of the most distressing treatment-related symptoms they experience, yet fatigue is rarely assessed by health professionals and infrequently reported by patients or their parents. CONCLUSIONS: An improved understanding of the contributory and alleviating factors that cause fatigue in this patient population will provide them with greater comfort during treatment for cancer.

Duke Scholars

Author Marilyn J Hockenberry School of Nursing