title: The relationship between symptom prevalence and severity and cancer primary site in 796 patients with advanced cancer.
abstract: Knowledge of differences in symptom experience between cancer sites may help better understand symptom pathophysiology. A total of 38 symptoms in 796 consecutive patients with advanced cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Symptom prevalence and severity were compared among the 12 primary site groups (PSGs) by the chi-square test. Pairwise comparisons determined which sites differed. Pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of energy, and anorexia had the highest overall prevalence but did not differ among PSGs. The 3 most common neuropsychological symptoms (insomnia, depression, and anxiety) also did not vary among PSGs. Nineteen (50%) symptoms varied significantly between PSGs, in prevalence (17), severity (14), or both (12). Nine of 17, 6 of 14, and 6 of 12 were gastrointestinal symptoms. Symptoms which varied by PSGs can be included in cancer site-specific symptom assessment instruments.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, The Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine and Supportive Oncology, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Jordanka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirkova
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rybicki
authors.forename: Declan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Aynur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aktas
authors.forename: Mellar P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Karafa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000855:Anorexia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult