title: A systematic review of symptom assessment scales in children with cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective was to describe symptom assessment scales that have been used in children with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted electronic searches of OVID Medline and EMBASE in order to identify all symptom assessment scales that have been used in pediatric cancer. Two reviewers abstracted information from each identified study. Data collected included study demographics and information related to the instrument and children enrolled. We also collected information about the purpose of instrument administration and whether treatment was altered as a result of this information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen studies were identified which evaluated eight different symptom assessment scales. Eight studies used child self-report and all studies included children on active treatment for cancer although 4 studies also included children following completion of treatment. The most common purpose of instrument administration was to measure the prevalence of symptom burden (n = 8). None of the 14 studies used the scale to screen for symptoms and none changed patient management on the basis of identified symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We failed to identify any symptom assessment scales that were used as a symptom screening tool. There is a need to develop such a tool for use in children with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Program in Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.
authors.forename: L Lee
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Dupuis
authors.forename: Marie-Chantal
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ethier
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hesser
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000379:methods*