title: Symptom prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress during chemotherapy for patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Early detection and improvements in treatment have increased survival after colorectal cancer (CRC), but studies investigating the multidimensional nature of treatment-related symptoms are rare. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the prevalence, frequency, and severity of symptoms and the distress they cause during the early treatment of patients with CRC undergoing chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive outpatients were asked to rate their symptoms during cycle 2 or 3 of chemotherapy, using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 104 patients, 58 men and 46 women, evaluated their symptoms of the preceding week at one point during the treatment. The mean number of symptoms was 10.3 (SD, 7.7; range, 0-32). Highly prevalent symptoms were numbness/tingling in the hands/feet (64 %), lack of energy (62 %), feeling drowsy (49 %), and nausea (45 %). Symptoms with the highest scores for frequency, severity, and distress were lack of energy followed by difficulty in sleeping and numbness in the hands/feet. Lack of energy was noted as occurring almost constantly by 26 % and was rated as being severe or very severe by 12 % and as quite distressing or very distressing by 15 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that patients with CRC receiving chemotherapy experience several distressing symptoms early in the treatment phase. In order to provide symptom control, oncology staff should consider evaluating the patient's symptoms early during treatment and plan adequate measures to minimize the impact of treatment-induced toxicity.
authors: Department of Oncology, Ryhov County Hospital, 55185, Jönköping, Sweden, gunilla.pettersson@lj.se.
authors: Gunilla
authors: G
authors: Pettersson
authors: Carina
authors: C
authors: Berterö
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Unosson
authors: Sussanne
authors: S
authors: Börjeson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D010045:Outpatients; D015995:Prevalence; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D055815:Young Adult