Date sent:      	Mon, 15 Oct 2001 

Cognitive and mood disturbance as causes and symptoms of fatigue in
cancer patients.

Cancer 2001 Sep 15;92(6 Suppl):1694-8

Valentine AD, Meyers CA.

Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

NLM Citation: PMID: 11598889

Fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and depression are very common in cancer
patients. A relationship among the three entities is recognized but
poorly understood. Factors that contribute to this poor understanding are
the subjective nature of the symptoms, multiple potential causes, and a
lack of reliable assessment tools. 

An understanding of fatigue in cancer
patients may benefit from studies of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and
other nonmalignant diseases indicating that cognitive impairment varies
with physical and mental fatigue, and that symptoms of depression
experienced by patients with physical illnesses and primary mood
disorders are qualitatively different. The multidimensional nature of
fatigue suggests that interventions should be patient-specific. They
could be related to lifestyle or involve the use of specific behavioral
or pharmacologic therapies. As is the case with depression and cognitive
disorders, targeted interventions against cancer-related fatigue will
benefit from a better understanding of its potential biologic causes.

Consideration of cognitive dysfunction and depression complicates the
understanding of cancer-related fatigue; however, it provides
opportunities to assist patients who must deal with this serious problem.


Copyright 2001 American Cancer Society.