Clinical management of symptom clusters.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the current evidence for the management of symptoms in clusters and future directions in symptom cluster management research.


METHODS
Research and review articles.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently no research has been reported on management of formally identified symptom clusters in oncology. Several researchers have described psychoeducational and exercise interventions that have decreased multiple concurrent symptoms. Understanding common biological mechanisms that underlie symptom clusters, such as inflammatory pathways, may suggest more effective treatments for symptom clusters.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians and researchers need to collaborate to better understand symptom clusters and develop effective interventions.
Williams
Loretta A
LA
Department of Symptom Research, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. lowillia@mdanderson.org
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic