Prevalence, changes in and correlates of fatigue in the first year after diagnosis of testicular cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To examine fatigue among testicular cancer patients during the first year after diagnosis.


METHODS
Fifteen patients treated with orchidectomy (group 1) and 37 treated with orchidectomy plus chemotherapy (group 2) were assessed within 1 month after orchidectomy, and 3 and 12 months later. Fatigue, sociodemographics, anemia, testosterone levels and trait anxiety were assessed.


RESULTS
At TI and T3, the groups reported similar levels of fatigue. Increased fatigue was found in group 2 at T2. A continuing decrease in fatigue was found in group 1. At T3, patients reported similar levels of fatigue as healthy individuals. Older age, trait anxiety and earlier levels of fatigue were predictive of fatigue, while anemia and testosterone levels were not.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue seems not to be an enduring problem for testicular cancer patients, with treatment only having an impact on fatigue levels shortly after treatment. Highly anxious patients and those who were fatigued after orchidectomy might benefit from a multidisciplinary intervention.
Fleer
Joke
J
Department of Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. j.hoekstra-weebers@psb.umcg.nl
Sleijfer
Dirk T
DT
Hoekstra
Harald J
HJ
Tuinman
Marrit A
MA
Hoekstra-Weebers
Josette E H M
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009919:Orchiectomy; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone