A cancer-related fatigue clinic: opportunities and challenges.
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most prevalent symptom of cancer, occurring in 60% to 90% of patients and surpassing pain in frequency. CRF may increase patients' anxieties and hamper their quality of life. We developed a CRF clinic in 1998 because we believed there needed to be a more focused effort on the education, evaluation, and treatment of CRF for our patients. Since then, we have gained clinical insights into the planning, development, and evolution of this endeavor. Our objective is to share our experiences and provide preliminary analysis of the first 123 patients evaluated in this clinic.
Escalante
Carmen P
CP
Department of General Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Treatment and Emergency Care, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe, Box 437, Houston, TX 77030, USA. cescalan@mdanderson.org
Manzullo
Ellen
E
Valdres
Rosalie
R
D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life