Supportive care in lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss common lung cancer symptoms including prevalence, assessment, etiology, and recommended interventions.


METHODS
Research studies and systematic reviews.


CONCLUSIONS
A mandate in care of persons with lung cancer is to deliver supportive care concurrently with life-prolonging care or as the main focus of care. Most are diagnosed with advanced disease that impairs health with both physical and psychological symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Early assessment and comprehensive management of symptoms are main components of improving quality of life and functional status for those living with lung cancer.
Joyce
Margaret
M
Thoracic Oncology, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. joycepe@umdnj.edu
Schwartz
Sue
S
Huhmann
Maureen
M
D000855:Anorexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy